Dr. Pat Ivory:

The Chairman asked about employment targets and their appropriateness. It is a matter of coherence across targets within the EU 2020 strategy. We will not achieve the employment targets set if we do not achieve the targets for research and development in the Irish context. Introducing policies that restrict the capacity to innovate, develop and conduct research in the economy will reduce employment here. Something that will have an impact on our targets and ability to achieve them is restricting the flow of data across borders. We have a high number of technology companies in the country, as well as sophisticated manufacturing industries in Ireland and across Europe. If they cannot exchange data in the course of day-to-day business and if data cannot flow across borders, it will reduce levels of growth in employment in the European Union.

I ask Mr. O'Donovan to say a few words about CO2 emissions and climate change.