Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I have received apologies from Deputies Farrell and Devlin who unfortunately cannot join us.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss our energy challenges and opportunities. It is the fourth and final meeting in the series we have held over the past few weeks. We have talked about the grid, development of the grid, interconnection, energy storage, which is something we will really get into today, and ancillary services. We looked at demand response in a significant way last week. Today, we will probably get into the storage question a little more. There is an interest among committee members in talking more about liquefied natural gas, LNG. In that regard, we have quite a few witnesses before us. Ms Aoife MacEvilly, chairperson of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, is very welcome back. She is joined by Mr. Paul McGowan, commissioner, Mr. Jim Gannon, commissioner, who is also welcome back, Ms Karen Kavanagh, director of economic regulation and compliance, and Mr. John Melvin, director of energy markets and smart metering, who is also very welcome back. Joining us online are Mr. Jerry McEvilly from Friends of the Earth, who is welcome, and Ms Tara Connolly from Global Witness who is in Brussels. I thank Ms Connolly for joining us.

I will read the note on privilege. I remind our witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary 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 the person or entity. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. For the two witnesses who are attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does.

Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 him or her identifiable. I also remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members prior to making their contributions, if they are joining us online, to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I ask Ms MacEvilly to make her opening statement.