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

We have not received any apologies. The first business on our clár is an engagement with the electricity sector on climate change targets for 2030. The purpose of the meeting is to kick off a discussion with the aim of identifying the 15 to 20 barriers across all sectors that will prevent Ireland from achieving the climate change targets for 2026 to 2030. We plan to engage on this topic sector by sector and start today with witnesses from the electricity sector. I welcome to from ESB Networks, Mr. Nicholas Tarrant, managing director, and Mr. Brian Brady, head of network resilience and climate adaptation; from EirGrid, Mr. Cathal Marley, chief executive, Ms Siobhan O'Shea, interim chief infrastructure officer onshore, and Mr. Liam Ryan, chief transformation and technology officer; from Wind Energy Ireland, Mr. Noel Cunniffe, chief executive officer, Mr. Dave Linehan, head of policy and research, and Mr. Justin Moran, director of external affairs. The witnesses are all very welcome.

I ask everyone in attendance to ensure their phones are either on silent or switched off. Before I invite the witnesses to deliver opening statements, 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 that 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.

In regard to the format of proceedings today, I will invite witnesses, in turn, to make an opening statement of a maximum of five minutes. Once those statements have been delivered, I will then call members in the order in which they indicate to me to put their questions. We operate a rota system which provides each member with an initial six minutes to engage with 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, time permitting we will have a second round where each member will have up to three minutes for both questions and answers. Please note that the duration of the meeting is limited and, therefore, the times must be strictly adhered to. I ask everybody to be focused on their contributions.

I call on each organisation to deliver its opening statement, as follows: Mr. Nicholas Tarrant, managing director of ESB Networks, followed by Mr. Cathal Marley, chief executive of EirGrid, followed by Mr. Noel Cuniffe, chief executive officer of Wind Energy Ireland. They have five minutes each.