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

I would like to welcome to the meeting Mr. Brian Cooke, director for the Society for the Motor Industry; Ms Marguerite Sayers, executive director of customer solutions at the ESB; and Mr. John Byrne, the general manager of the ESB, e-cars. Also with us are Dr. Damien O’Tuama, the national side cycling co-ordinator with cyclists.ie; and Dr. Colm Byrne, of Irish Doctors for the Environment. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the witnesses to today's meeting and I thank them for coming before us to share their expertise. The purpose of this meeting is to have a discussion on electric vehicles in the broad sense, the implications of electric vehicles, the challenges surrounding electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Before we begin I have 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. If the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue the remarks. It is imperative that they would comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus today there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present on the Leinster House campus.

Members of this committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on criticise or make charges against a person outside of the Houses, or an official by name or in such ways to make him or her identifiable. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members that prior to making a contribution they will confirm that they are indeed on the Leinster House campus.