Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I know we are up against the clock, so I will ask some quick questions. Mr. Owens referred to the carbon tax and the fact it is fully ring-fenced for measures. Is it not that case that it is only the increase in the carbon tax that has been applied that has been ring-fenced? I am not sure of the exact percentage, but a significant proportion of carbon tax is not ring-fenced for carbon measures.

I have a question for the representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The seafood-offshore renewable energy working group was to be set up by 2021 to act as a stakeholder body. I am wondering whether there is a progress report on that. There are some concerns that there have been delays with it. It is fundamental that those discussions are happening between different stakeholders to ensure that we get the right response in answer to our renewable questions.

I am not sure if any of the witnesses can answer this question, but I am wondering if there are any plans to dial up Ireland's preparedness to harness our natural resources in light of the events in Ukraine. It has been a very quickly evolving situation. There is quite a high level of risk that energy security in Europe and Ireland over the short to medium, and perhaps long, term could be impacted. Are there any discussions within the Departments about speeding up our response to ensure that we have renewable energy in place to give us that resilience?