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

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 submission or opening statement they make 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.

I remind witnesses and members to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the sound system, making it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and adversely affect television coverage and web streaming.

I welcome Mr. Tim Gould, head of the world energy outlook team at the International Energy Agency, IEA. He has been invited here to engage with the committee in a policy discussion on future exploration, energy supply and energy security. I also welcome Mr. Matt Collins of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. I ask Mr. Gould to proceed with his presentation to the committee. One of the monitors is not working but all members have received a copy of Mr. Gould's presentation and it will come up on the screen behind him.