Chairman:

I welcome committee members and those who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV. This is the 17th public session of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. At the request of the broadcasting unit, I ask all those present to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting of proceedings.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a very warm welcome to Dr. Paul McGowan, chairperson of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU; Ms Aoife MacEvilly and Mr. Garrett Blaney, commissioners, and John Melvin, director of energy markets.

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 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 invite Dr. McGowan to make his opening presentation.