Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have no apologies for the meeting.

The first item on our clár is an engagement with the Minister on the carbon budget 2031-40. The purpose of the meeting is to continue our discussion on the carbon budget. The carbon budget represents the total amount of emissions that may be emitted in the State in a five-year period, measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent, under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021. Dáil Éireann referred the latest carbon budget programme, covering 2031-35, with a provisional budget proposal for 2036-40, on 20 May, and we are required to report back to the Dáil by 6 October.

Our witness today is the Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I welcome an tAire and his oifigigh to the meeting. You are all very welcome.

I remind everyone to ensure their phones are either on silent or switched off. Before I invite the Minister to make an opening statement, I advise everybody of the following as regards parliamentary privilege. Witnesses and members are 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 as regards an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

As regards the format of the meeting, I will shortly invite the Minister to make an opening statement to a maximum of five minutes. Once the opening statement has been delivered, I will then call the members of the committee in the order in which they have indicated to me to put their questions. The committee operates a rota system which provides each member with an initial six minutes to engage with our witnesses. It is important for members to note that the six minutes are for both questions and answers and, therefore, it is essential for them to put their questions succinctly and for witnesses to be succinct in their responses. When all members have indicated and have had their initial engagement, and time permitting, we will do a second round where each member will have up to three minutes for both questions and answers. Please note that the duration of this meeting is limited and, therefore, the times must be strictly adhered to, so I ask everybody to focus on their contributions.

I call the Minister to deliver his opening statement.