Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion on a very important piece of work, Ireland's climate change assessment report. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the witnesses, all of whom are authors of the report. I think we have broken the record for the number of witnesses before the committee today. We have eight witnesses here in person and we are very grateful they have come to Leinster House today to engage with us. We are also grateful to their colleagues who are joining us remotely.

In person, we have Professor Hanna Daly, University College Cork; Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir, University College Cork; Professor Jennifer McElwain, Trinity College Dublin; Dr. Agnieszka Stefaniec, Trinity College Dublin; Dr. Diarmuid Torney, Dublin City University; Professor Brian Caulfield, Trinity College Dublin; Dr. Liam Heaphy, Irish Centre for High-End Computing; and Dr. Tara Quinn, Maynooth University. They are all very welcome. Joining us remotely are Dr. Róisín Moriarty, University College Cork; Dr. Paul Deane, University College Cork; Dr. Clare Noone, Maynooth University; and Dr. Deirdre McClean, Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Danielle Gallagher is also listed and she may join us at some point.

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 or her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that may 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, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, 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 this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask those members who are joining us remotely to confirm, prior to making their contributions, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. I see there are a few members joining us from their offices.

I call Professor Daly to commence the opening statement, which, I understand, will be shared among a number of the witnesses.