The improvement of 6.3 per cent is a decrease in the energy intensity and it means that we are generating the same level of gross domestic product with less energy, which contributes to improving the environment and the problems related to it. I agree that it is important to continue to improve in this area. Any improvement is welcome but it is not appropriate to look at movement in energy intensity on an annual basis because it could disimprove in some years, which was the case in 1988 and 1989. During those years, although the GDP is estimated to have grown by 5 per cent, the total energy consumption grew by over 7 per cent. Clearly, the ratio of energy consumption to GDP rose in that period and this phenomenon was clearly illustrated in the mid-eighties when energy prices fell dramatically. For example, between 1984 and 1986 energy intensity increased — that is, disimproved — by over 8 per cent and during this period energy consumption grew at an average annual rate of almost 5 per cent. At the same time economic growth was sluggish at only 0.5 per cent per annum. Clearly, GDP growth is not the only factor which influences energy consumption and the general fall in energy prices in the mid-eighties induced increased energy consumption, with the result that energy intensity increased. The underlying trend in Irish energy intensity is, however, downwards and is, therefore, welcome.