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

Happy new year to everybody. On behalf of the committee, I would like to welcome to the meeting the following members of the Climate Change Advisory Council's carbon budget committee: Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir, Ms Marie Donnelly, chair - she is very welcome back and we did not think that we would have her back so soon - Ms Patricia King, Professor Lisa Ryan, Professor Peter Thorne, Dr. Hannah Daly, Dr. Trevor Donnellan, Dr. Kevin Hanrahan and Dr. David Styles. I thank them for coming before us today.

The purpose of this meeting is to consider the carbon budgets. The carbon budget represents the total amount of emissions that may be emitted in the State during the five-year period measured, in tonnes of CO2 equivalent under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts, 2015 to 2021. Dáil Éireann may refer a carbon budget programme to a joint committee for consideration of the carbon budget and to provide a report in writing containing its recommendations to both Houses of the Oireachtas within two months from the date that it is presented to Dáil Éireann.

The carbon budget was referred to this committee on 7 December. We are required to report back to the Houses by 7 February. In order for the committee to consider the budgets we are holding a series of meetings this week. There will be a final session next Tuesday in which we will hear from all relevant stakeholders to inform our work. This is an important piece of work being undertaken by this committee, because it is the first in a series of carbon budgets to be agreed to ensure Ireland meet its ambitious target of being a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. This committee is taking this very seriously.

Before we begin, I will read the note on privilege. I would like to remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise and 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 may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if a witness's statement is potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. For witnesses who are attending remotely from outside of the Leinster House campus, 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 campus does.

Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges again a person outside of the Houses, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I would also like to 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 contribution, that they would confirm that they are indeed on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call Professor Ó Gallachóir to give his opening statement.