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

I welcome members, and also viewers who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV, to the third public session of the Joint Committee on Climate Action. At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that mobile phones are turned off or switched to aeroplane mode for the duration of the meeting because they interfere with the sound system.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Fabian Küster from the European Cyclists Federation, Mr. Brian Deegan from Urban Movement and Dr. Rachel Aldred from the University of Westminster. I advise them 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. If they are directed by the committee 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. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair 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.

I invite Mr. Küster to make his opening statement or does one of the other want to start?