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

I welcome to the meeting from EirGrid, Mr. Mark Foley, chief executive officer, Mr. Liam Ryan, chief innovation and planning officer, and Ms Suzanne Collins, head of public relations. On behalf of the committee, I welcome all of you to today's meeting and thank you for appearing before the committee to share your expertise.

I wish to remind you of the long-standing parliamentary practice that you 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 your statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, you will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that you 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 call on Mr. Foley to make his opening statement.