Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am aware I might be pushing the witnesses to comment on matters outside their remit but I would appreciate any insight they have. I was putting together my submission for the greater Dublin area transport strategy yesterday. The greater Dublin area accounts for approximately one quarter of all of our transport emissions. The proposed target, as set out in the draft, is to reduce these emissions by between 30% and 40%, not by 2030 but by 2040. It struck me that if this is the level of ambition set out by a State body for carbon mitigation in what accounts for a significant portion of our transport emissions, I would be fearful about our sincerity in tackling climate change. Is there a role for the Climate Change Advisory Council? I know it is probably separate from the work the carbon budget committee has done but it is related. I suppose the carbon budget committee has engaged extensively in the modelling and there may be views among the members on this particular point. I would be very interested to hear them. I do not know whether this is a fair question but I ask Professor Ó Gallachóir to have a go.