Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are in public session. I remind members, those in the Public Gallery and witnesses to make sure that their mobile phones are completely turned off as the signal affects the communications systems here. We are here to discuss climate change issues specific to agriculture, food and the marine. I welcome, from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Dr. Matthew Crowe, director of the office of evidence and assessment; from Environmental Pillar, Mr. Michael Ewing, co-ordinator of Environmental Pillar and Mr. Ian Lumley, the built environment and heritage officer in An Taisce; from the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, Mr. Oisín Coghlan, director of Friends of the Earth and Ms Noreen Gumbo, head of the humanitarian programme, Trócaire; and from the Marine Institute, Dr. Peter Heffernan, chief executive and Dr. Paul Connolly, director of fisheries, ecosystem and advisory services. I thank them for coming before the committee today to discuss specific issues concerning climate change and its impact on the agriculture, food and marine sectors. I thank them for their written submissions which I circulated to members earlier. Their opening statements were circulated in advance and I would appreciate if they could summarise their opening statements in no more than five minutes if possible. We will have a good engagement with members with questions and answers afterwards.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence 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 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

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 of the Houses or any official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I will call the groups in the order read out. I invite Dr. Crowe from the EPA to make his opening statement.