Chairman:

I welcome members, delegates and those watching the proceedings on Oireachtas TV to the fourth public session of the Joint Committee on Climate Action. Before I introduce the delegates, at the request of the broadcasting unit, I ask delegates, members and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting service. On behalf of the committee, I extend a sincere welcome to Mr. Mark Griffin, Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and his officials. I also welcome Mr. Peter O'Shea, Mr. John Lawlor and Mr. Sean Murphy from the ESB and Mr. Jim Scheer and Mr. John Halpin from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Mr. Griffin to make his opening statement.