Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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The purpose of the meeting is to have a discussion on the circular economy as it relates to the waste sector. It will be a reasonably short meeting, unfortunately. We will finish at 12.30 p.m. I will push it along as quickly as I can. We have quite a number of witnesses. I will give them all as much time as possible given the limited time we have.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome from SIPTU, Mr. Adrian Kane, who is divisional organiser in the public administration and community division. Mr. Ciprian Lenghel and Mr. David Sweeney are joining us online. Mr. Michael Gleason and Mr. Pat McCabe, sector organiser, are also in the room with us. They are all very welcome. From Fórsa we have Mr. Richy Carrothers, head of local government, local services and municipal, Ms Aisling Cusack, policy and research officer, and Ms Julie Flood, senior vice president. They are all very welcome this morning. From the Dublin City Council working group, I welcome Councillor Daithí Doolan, chair of the working group on the remunicipalisation of waste.

Before we begin, I will read a note on privilege. I remind the witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity either 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 defamatory to the good name of the person or entity. If witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that 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 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 members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask members joining us online to confirm, prior to making their contributions, that they are on the grounds of Leinster House.

I invite Mr. Kane to make his opening statement on behalf of SIPTU.