Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)

We have received apologies from Deputy Whitmore.

The first item on the agenda is engagement with the business sector on the climate change targets 2026 to 2030. The purpose of our meeting today is to continue our discussions with the goal for the committee of identifying the 15 to 20 barriers that would prevent Ireland from achieving its short-term climate change targets for 2026 to 2030. We have been engaging on this topic on a sector-by-sector basis, and today we continue with witnesses from the business sector. I welcome to our meeting the following witnesses. From IBEC, we have Mr. Gerard Brady, head of national policy and chief economist, and Mr. Conor Minogue, senior executive, energy and climate policy. From Chambers Ireland, we have Mr. Ian Talbot, chief executive, and Mr. Shane Hughes, policy and international affairs manager. They are all very welcome. I remind everybody in attendance to make sure their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off.

Before I invite the witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I wish to advise them of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing 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 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.

In terms of the way the meeting will work, I will invite witnesses in turn to make an opening statement for a maximum of five minutes. Once those statements have been delivered, I will then call on the members of the committee in the order they indicate to me to put their questions to the witnesses. 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, time permitting, a second round will commence 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 adhered to. I ask everybody to be focused in their contributions. I will now call each organisation to deliver their opening statements beginning with Mr. Minogue from IBEC.