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

We have received apologies from Deputy Clendennen. That is all we have at the moment. The first item is engagement with experts on the carbon budget 2031-2035. Pursuant to our meetings before the summer recess with the Climate Change Advisory Council and the Minister, members requested an additional meeting to continue the discussion on carbon budgets. That is today's meeting. The budget represents the total amount of emissions that may be emitted in the State in that five-year period, measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent, under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015-2021. Dáil Éireann referred the latest carbon budget programme, covering 2031 to 2035, with a provisional budget for 2036 to 2040, to the committee on 20 May 2025 and we are required to report back to the Dáil by 6 October.

I welcome our witnesses: Professor Hannah Daly, Professor Barry McMullin, Mr. Paul Price and Professor John Sweeney. I remind them to put their mobile phones on silent or, preferably, turn them off. Before inviting them to deliver their opening statements, I advise the witnesses of the following in relation to 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 a 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. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

As regards the way the meeting will run in terms of format, I will shortly invite each of the four witnesses to make an opening statement to a maximum of five minutes. Once the statements have been delivered, I will call on the members of the committee 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 our witnesses. It is important to note that the six minutes are for both questions and answers. Therefore, it is essential for members to put their questions succinctly and witnesses to be succinct in their responses. When all members who have indicated have had their initial engagement, and time permitting, a second round will commence whereby each member will have up to three minutes for questions and answers, if required. Please note that the duration of this meeting is limited. We have an additional challenge in that the Dáil sits today and there will be a vote on the Order of Business shortly after 2.30 p.m., so Members of the Dáil will need or will prefer to be finished by then. I ask members and witnesses to bear that in mind in terms of questions and statements and to focus on their contributions.

I call on the first witness, Professor Hannah Daly, to deliver her opening statement.