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

The purpose of today's meeting is to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the gas safety (amendment) Bill 2023. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the following witnesses from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Mr. Jim Gannon, chair; Ms Loretta Joyce, director of energy safety; and Mr. Daniel Ward, gas safety regulatory manager.

I remind the witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 any statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct witnesses to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

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 also 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 - I see a few are joining us virtually - prior to making their contribution to the meeting, to confirm they are on the grounds of Leinster House.

I invite Mr. Gannon to make his opening statement.