Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Duffy.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Paul Deane and Mr. Cillian O'Donoghue. Dr. Deane is senior research fellow at the Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, research centre for energy, climate and marine in University College Cork, UCC. Mr. O'Donoghue is the director of policy at Eurelectric which is based in Brussels. We will discuss the European Union's policy response to the current energy security issues in Europe, including the implications of EU energy security policy for Ireland.

Before we begin, I will read a note on privilege and some housekeeping matters. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or 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 the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.