Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Pléifimid anois ceannteidil an Bhille, an Bille um gníomhaíocht aeráide agus forbairt carbóin íseal. We will discuss the outline heads of the climate action and low carbon development Bill 2013. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Dochtúir Brian Ó Gallachóir, léachtóir in innealtóireacht fuinnimh i gColáiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh,UCC. He is very welcome indeed. Gabhaim buíochas leis as bheith i láthair inniu.

I wish to highlight a couple of procedural things, although Dr. Ó Gallachóir's will have heard them already because of his presence in the Visitors Gallery. I draw his attention to one or two procedural items before we commence. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Dr. Ó Gallachóir's opening statement may be published on the committee's website after proceedings have concluded.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We have Dr. Ó Gallachóir's opening statement, which is quite detailed and good, so if he wants to give us his thoughts around it, he is more than welcome to do so. We have heard from Professor Kirby. This is a very important issue for us. Our overarching objective is to produce a report with a view to finessing the legislation. We have the heads of the Bill, so we are very interested in Dr. Ó Gallachóir's views, given his background, on how best we can advance our overall objective in that context.