Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I received apologies from Deputy Whitmore.

The purpose of this morning's meeting is to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023. The meeting today will be split into two sessions: the first from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. with the representative from the European Commission; and the second from 12.30 p.m. until 2 p.m. with officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Catharina Sikow-Magny, who is the director of the green transition and energy systems. I presume Ms Sikow-Magny is joining us from her office in Brussels and I welcome her this morning.

Before we begin, I will read out the note on privilege. I remind our guests 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 respect of an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative they comply with any such direction.

For our witness today who is attending remotely from Brussels, there are limitations to parliamentary privilege as she is not on the Leinster House complex.

As such, she may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present on the campus 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 make him or her identifiable.

I remind those members joining us online that they are allowed to participate in the meeting only if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex, so I ask that they confirm that they are in the complex before making their contributions.

I go now to Ms Sikow-Magny for her opening statement.