Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today's meeting is being carried live on Virgin Media channel 207, eirVision channel 504 and Sky channel 574. Members should switch off their mobile phones or turn them to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their devices. All sittings are broadcast on the channels I have mentioned in a replay loop over the following week. I remind those present that any sound interference affects the broadcast, whether it is live or a replay. No apologies have been received. The purpose of this meeting is to hear from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, about energy policy in Ireland. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the Minister and his officials - Mr. Jerry Higgins, Mr. Kevin Brady and Ms Bernie Comey - to this meeting.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l)of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I advise them that any submissions or opening statements they have made to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this 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 House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I would like to remind those present that a meeting of the Select Sub-Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is due to take place at 5 p.m. We are obliged to leave 15 minutes between meetings. Therefore, I ask members for their co-operation in ensuring this meeting concludes by 4.45 p.m. As I would like to give everybody a chance to speak at this meeting, I propose that contributions should be confined to two or three minutes to ensure no one is denied the opportunity to engage. I ask the Minister to make his opening statement.