Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now commence session A, decarbonising transport, the key role of alternative fuels and technologies, including electric vehicles, EVs. I welcome all the witnesses who have come here this evening, namely, officials from the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Transport, Tourism and Sport; representatives of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; the Commission for Energy Regulation; the Electricity Supply Board, ESB; Gas Networks Ireland; the Society of the Irish Motor Industry; the Irish Road Haulage Association and the Irish EV Owners Association, IEVOA. Their opening statements and presentations will be circulated to the committee and will be published after the meeting.

I wish to draw witnesses' attention to 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 committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on 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 or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise witnesses that any submissions or opening statements they have made to the committee will be published on its 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The joint committee has decided to review policy in this area. I thank the witnesses for their attendance this evening. I ask all speakers to speak for five minutes. The first witness is from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Ms Laura Behan. She is head of the climate change unit and she will speak on behalf of the Department.