Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a quorum and we are in public session. I advise members that they must turn off their mobile telephones when attending committee meetings. Active mobile telephones interfere with the sound system and RTE has informed us it will not broadcast any part of a meeting where interference from mobile telephones has occurred. Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Michael McCarthy, Deputy Catherine Murphy, Senator Fiach Mac Conghail and Senator Ned O’Sullivan.

We will consider the issue of climate change with the following witnesses: Mr. Sorley McCaughey, head of advocacy and policy, Christian Aid; Ms Cecilia Kibe Muthoni, co-ordinator, Kenya Climate Justice Women Champions; Mr. Mithika Mwenda, co-ordinator, PanAfrican Climate Justice Alliance; and Ms Maanda Ngoitiko, Pastoral Women's Council of Tanzania.

I thank them for their attendance and welcome them to the meeting.

I draw their attention the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise them that the opening statements and any documents submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite our guests to make their opening remarks.