Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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We will begin in public session. Apologies have been received from Deputy Bríd Smith. Deputy Paul Murphy is substituting for her. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the implementation of the new national retrofit plan and the broader issue of emissions from buildings. We are joined by witnesses from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, which is responsible for the roll-out of the national retrofit plan. SEAI has published a very interesting national heat study in the past number of months so we will touch on that as well. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. William Walsh, CEO; Dr. Ciaran Byrne, director of national retrofit; Mr. Brian O'Mahony, head of the community and national retrofit department; and Ms Margie McCarthy, director of research and policy insights.

I remind 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 witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction. There are limitations to parliamentary privilege for witnesses attending from outside the Leinster House campus and as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as those physically present on the campus.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House campus. If they are joining us online, I ask that prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm that they are on the grounds of Leinster House. I now invite Mr. Walsh to give his opening statement.