Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

Maidin mhaith gach éinne, fáilte romhaibh go dtí an cruinniú choiste seo. I call the meeting to order. Apologies have been received from Senator Craughwell, who cannot be with us this morning.

Before we begin, as I do at every meeting, I want to bring to everyone's attention a note on privilege. Witnesses giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. This means a witness has full defence in any defamation action for anything said at a committee meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and may be directed to cease giving evidence on an issue at the Chair's direction. Witnesses should follow the direction of the Chair in this regard. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, as is reasonable, no adverse commentary should be made against an identifiable third person or entity. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts - I do not believe we have any today - are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts. They may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Privilege against defamation does not apply to publication by witnesses outside of the proceedings held by the committee of any matters arising from the proceedings.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm verbally they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are also 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 and it is imperative they comply with any such direction.

We have one item on the agenda for the meeting. This is the topic of planning challenges in the offshore renewable energy, ORE, sector. The committee will hear from the following officials from Wind Energy Ireland: Mr. Paul Kelly, chairperson; and Mr. Justin Moran, director of external affairs. We are also joined by Captain Robert McCabe, who chairs the seafood ORE working group. From the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, we have Ms Laura Brien, chief executive officer; and Mr. Eoin Leahy, director of policy and external affairs. I welcome the witnesses and thank them for giving their time to discuss these matters and answer questions from the committee.

I will give each group five minutes to read their opening statements. I ask them to keep within the five minutes. I remind witnesses and members that we have clocks located around the room and they will count down the time, both for the opening statements and for the questions and answers. To explain from the outset, I will give each member of the committee who indicates to speak a ten-minute slot, but that slot has to include time for the responses. It must include both questions and answers. I will lenient enough in terms of how they engage on that. I ask the members to direct their questions to a particular witness or a particular group to make it clear who the question is directed at.

I advise members there is a select committee meeting tonight at 6 p.m. They are all aware of that, but I wish to reiterate it. There is a joint committee meeting at 7.15 p.m. today. I ask them to make an effort to be here so we can get that business concluded in good time.