Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No apologies have been received. The purpose of the meeting today is to discuss the future licences and contracts to connect data centres to the gas network. On behalf of the committee, I welcome representatives from the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, and Climate Change Advisory Council, CCAC, to the meeting. From the CRU we have Mr. Jim Gannon, chairperson, Ms Aoife MacEvilly, commissioner, Mr. John Melvin, director of security of supply and wholesale, Dr. Phil Hemmingway, director of carbonisation, and Dr. Mary Doorly. From the CCAC we have Ms Marie Donnelly, chairperson, Dr. Meabh Gallagher, carbon budgets team lead, and Mr. George Hussey, secretariat manager.

I will move to the note on privilege, which I am compelled to read out. I remind the witnesses 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 a person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation 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 today who are attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does.

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 that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In that regard, I ask all members, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call Mr. Gannon to make his opening statement.