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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Richard Bruton and Jennifer Whitmore. The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion about the climate action plan and continue our review of it. In that regard, we have invited the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, to come before the committee. Other Ministers have come before us and have had very good sessions in our examination of the climate action plan and the role of various Departments. I thank the Minister for coming before the committee and the officials for joining him.

Before we begin, I will read out the note on privilege. I remind our guests of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that you 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction. We do not have any witnesses attending from outside the campus today.

I remind members 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 would like to remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask those members who are joining online that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of Leinster House. A number of members are joining us from their offices.

I call on the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, to make his opening statement.