Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies form Deputy Cronin, for whom Deputy Carthy will be substituting.

I welcome Mr. Noel Cunniffe, acting CEO, Mr. Paul Blount, chairperson of the 70by30 committee and Mr. Justin Moran, head of communications and public affairs, from Wind Energy Ireland. On behalf of the committee, I thank them for coming before us to share their expertise.

I will first read a note on privilege. I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members, prior to making their contributions, to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call on Mr. Cunniffe to make his opening statement.