Mr. Jerry MacEvilly:

I might start and then hand over. I fully take the Deputy's point that we cannot be flippant when it comes to the implementation of the fossil fuel phase-out, and it has real implications and links for EU policy.

To explain from a practical perspective, we need a framework for limiting and reducing fossil fuel production in line with or similar to the entire governance framework that we now have in place for carbon budgeting and emissions. To give a practical example of that, the Government's new energy security package includes significant commitments to reduce average and peak gas demand. It also highlights carbon budget scenarios which show the limited role of gas in the energy system post 2030. From an Irish perspective, which I appreciate is not the same as the EU's NDC, we need those clear targets and framework planning on fossil fuel production and investment, allied to or complementing the carbon budget governance framework. What that precisely looks like at EU level is linked to future elections at EU level. To link it back to COP28, there are robust statements and recommendations in the EU position, particularly in the European Parliament position, and the position of the high ambition coalition.

Friends of the Earth is primarily asking for us to go beyond the rhetorical, as Mr. O'Neill said, and to spend real political capital in the negotiating room on ensuring that the robust language on fossil fuel phase-out is in place because, without going through everything I stated previously, on one hand, it could easily be watered down, and on the other hand, only having a commitment in the area of renewables and energy efficiency simply is not enough. Lastly, as the committee would know well, where there are clear commitments at COP28 level, they will, of course, inform the EU policymaking framework too.