Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Members participating in the meeting remotely may do so only from with the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Deputy Louise O'Reilly. Today we are carrying out further scrutiny of the net zero industry Act. The European Commission has proposed the net zero industry Act as a means to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU to make sure the Union is well equipped for a clean energy transition. The Act aims to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of net zero technologies manufacturing in the EU and make our energy system more secure and sustainable. It aims to create better conditions, set up net zero projects in Europe and attract investments with the goal that the Union's overall strategic net zero technologies manufacturing capacity approaches or reaches at least 40% of the EU employment needs by 2030.

I am pleased we have an opportunity to consider this and related matters further with representatives from AMBER, the Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, research centre for advanced materials and bioengineering research, Professor Michael Morris, director of AMBER and professor of surface and interface chemistry at the school of chemistry, Trinity College Dublin; and Ms Amy Sweetman, communications and public affairs manager. From IBEC I welcome Dr. Neil Walker, head of infrastructure, energy and environment. From Hydrogen Ireland we are joined Ms Catherine Joyce-O'Caollai, co-chair of the policy working group, ESB, and Ms Gillian Kinsella, co-chair of the policy working group, Bord Gáis. From the Irish Bioenergy Association, IBA, we are joined by Mr. Seán Finnan, CEO, and Mr. Paddy Phelan, president of the IBA and CEO of the South East Energy Agency.

On parliamentary privilege, I will explain some limitations and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to another person in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are again 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 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.

The opening statements have been circulated to members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Professor Morris to make his opening remarks.