Chairman:

It will be set out in the work programme. That will all be covered in what we are about to discuss, namely, a terms of reference group. We can change the date; I am in members' hands in that regard. Is it agreed that we only seek experts where the committee agrees to do so? Agreed.

Regarding the structure of the committee's work programme, a modular approach is proposed. In light of the short timeline and the imminent summer recess, it is proposed that we agree a format at today's meeting for the first two modules of our meetings: setting out the context and background; and the departmental Secretaries General. The proposed modular approach to our meetings will be based on the structure that I am about to outline.

I propose that module 1 comprise two meetings. First, we will seek an overview from the chair of the Citizens' Assembly, Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, on its report and ask her to highlight any gap in the report that the assembly may be aware of. Inviting the chair of the assembly to present this overview is a recognition that the key provision of the special committee's orders of reference is to consider the third report and recommendations of the assembly. Inviting the chairperson of the assembly to the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment on the Constitution proved especially valuable, as she identified specific areas that the assembly's report on the eighth amendment did not cover. Doing so informed that committee's work programme significantly.

Second, I propose that we seek overview statements from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the chairman of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Professor John FitzGerald, Professor Alan Barrett of the ESRI, and the Environmental Pillar. The ESRI's statement would be of particular significance, given the emphasis placed on climate change at the national economic dialogue.

Turning to module 2,-----