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

I have received apologies from Deputy Alan Farrell but he may be along later. Today's meeting is split into two sessions, the first of which is with representatives from Oxfam, Friends of the Earth, Christian Aid, Stop Climate Chaos; and Trócaire. That session is scheduled for two hours. The second session will be held at 1 p.m. with an official from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and will last for one hour. The purpose of the discussion today is to hear from stakeholders in advance of COP27, which is coming up in a few weeks' time. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following witnesses: from Oxfam, Ms Elizabeth Wathuti, who is joining us online, and Mr. Simon Murtagh, who is with us in the committee room; Dr. Bríd Walsh, policy co-ordinator at Stop Climate Chaos who is joining us online; Mr. Conor O'Neill, head of advocacy and policy at Christian Aid Ireland who is present in the room; Ms Siobhan Curran, head of advocacy at Trócaire; and Mr. Jerry MacEvilly, no stranger to the committee, who is head of advocacy at Friends of the Earth.

Before we begin, I will read a note on privilege. I remind our guests 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 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 witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, namely, Ms Wathuti and Dr. Walsh, there are limitations to parliamentary privilege and as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as do witnesses physically present on the campus.

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 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 that they may participate in this meeting only if they are physically located on the Leinster House campus. In this regard, I ask any member joining us online, prior to making his or her contribution, to confirm that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

We have quite a few guests today. I ask them to limit opening statements to five minutes in order that we can get through them all and get through questions from members in time for 1 p.m. I call on Ms Wathuti to make her opening statement.