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

I have received apologies from Senator Higgins. The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss sectoral emissions ceilings, which are due to be announced in the coming weeks by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the departmental officials from several Departments to the meeting. From the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, we are joined by Mr. Frank Maughan, principal officer; Ms Karen Egan, principal officer; Mr. Marc Kierans, assistant principal; and Mr. Neil Gannon, assistant principal. Mr. Kierans is joining us in person and Mr. Maughan, Ms Egan and Mr. Gannon are joining us online. They are very welcome. From the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, we are joined by Mr. Bill Callanan, chief inspector; and Ms Edwina Love, principal officer, climate and biodiversity. We are also joined online by Mr. John Redmond and Mr. Fergus Moore. They are welcome. From the Department of Transport, we are joined by three officials, namely, Ms Andrea Lennon, principal officer; Dr. Aoife O’Grady, principal officer; and Mr. John Martin, principal officer.

As usual, before we begin I will read a note on privilege. Witnesses are reminded 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 in regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. For the witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as does a witness who is physically present in the campus. Members 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 the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members they may participate in this meeting only if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask members joining us online to confirm, prior to making their contribution, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I invite Ms Egan to make her opening remarks.