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

I welcome everyone to this fifth session of the committee, including viewers watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV. We have received apologies from Senator Higgins. At the request of the broadcasting and recording service, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that their mobile phones are turned off or switched to flight mode. I welcome Dr. Muireann Lynch and Dr. Kelly de Bruin from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI; Dr. Tricia Keilthy from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul; Mr. Matt Collins, Mr. Robert Deegan and Ms Eileen O'Connor from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Mr. Gerry Kenny and Mr. Matt McGann from the Department of Finance; and, Mr. Jim Scheer from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI.

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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 the proceedings is to be given and 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, 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 any person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

In the light of the number of speakers, I ask delegates to keep their opening statements to three minutes to allow time for members' questions and discussion. I call Dr. Lynch to make her opening statement.