Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome members and I also welcome viewers who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV. Before I introduce our guests, I request that members and visitors turn off their mobile phones or put them on flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting system.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Declan Hughes, Ms Céline McHugh, Mr. Joseph Cummins, Ms Áine Maher and Mr. Philip Gallagher from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Jim Scheer and Ms Aileen Duffy from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Ms Anna Marie Delaney and Ms Sarah Morgan from the midlands regional transition team - Offaly County Council, and Mr. Padraig Boland from the midlands regional transition team - Laois-Offaly education and training board, ETB.

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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons, 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 House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Hughes to make his opening statement.