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

I welcome members and those who may be watching proceedings on Oireachtas TV to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action.

Before we commence, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting system.

In the first session of today's meeting we resume our discussion on supporting a just transition. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Patricia King, Mr. David Joyce, Mr. Macdara Doyle, Mr. Paul Goldrick-Kelly, Mr. Willie Noone, Mr. Jimmy Nolan, Mr. Jim Dullaghan and Ms Karen Halpenny of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU.

I advise our guests 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 nor 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Ms King to make her opening statement.