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

The purpose of this session is to discuss COP27 with Mr. Niall McLoughlin, principal officer, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications who has joined us online from his office. He is very welcome.

Before we begin, I will again read the note on privilege. I remind Mr. McLoughlin of the long-standing parliamentary practice that he 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 his statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct him to discontinue his remarks. It is imperative that he comply with any such direction. As he is attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, he may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present would.

I invite Mr. McLoughlin to make his opening statement, which is limited to five minutes.