Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

It is on the basis of a figure of €15 per carbon unit in the period specified. As I stated in the final sentence of my reply, the ultimate cost to the Exchequer will depend on the final purchasing requirement and the price of carbon credits during the time when they are calculated.

As for the Deputy's query whether it would be annualised, the answer is "No". As the Deputy is aware, the commitment period extends from 2008 to 2012.

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