Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

General Scheme of Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014: Discussion

2:20 pm

Photo of Michael McCarthyMichael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our visitors from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Mr. Paul Clegg and Mr. John Crawley, and from Dublin City Council, Mr. Owen Keegan, Dublin city manager; Mr. Jim Keogan and Mr. Philip Maguire.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I advise delegates that the opening statements and any other documentation submitted to the committee may be published on its website at the conclusion of business.
The business of the meeting is to examine the general scheme of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014. We have invited a wide range of delegates to discuss the proposed legislation and the implications for the Dublin docklands and the communities living and businesses operating in the area. This is very important legislation for them and we are very interested in hearing their views. The legislation is important for the future development and sustainability of the Dublin docklands. I invite the representatives of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to make an opening statement.

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