Dr. Ciaran Byrne:

That is where the transition comes from. We talk about shallower measures, namely, attics, cavity walls and heating controls, and these typically do not achieve that 100 kWh uplift. As a result, the energy partners are moving their focus across to the package of deeper measures. The three I have mentioned are included in the package of deeper measures, but they must do more. That is where particular matters come back into play in terms of making decisions about how they will achieve their obligations. As I said, attics, cavity walls and the heat pumps were what they had done. They had received energy credits for each of those, but they now have to go into deeper measures. That is the context of the changes that are taking place. That was a policy decision and it would have been well discussed, put out to consultation, etc. It was flagged well in advance and will be implemented on 1 January.

I do not have visibility in respect of the flexibility of the energy efficiency obligations, but it is a reasonable proposition that the scope of energy providers is widened to include obligated parties. Ultimately, that will be a matter for the Government and the Department, as opposed to ourselves.