Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Oliver Cussen, chairperson designate of the Grangegorman Development Agency.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

At the request of the broadcasting services, witnesses and those in the public Gallery are requested to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are either turned off completely or switched to flight mode. Mr. Cussen's opening statement will be published on the committee website after the meeting.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy O'Sullivan, has announced that she proposes to appoint Mr. Oliver Cussen as chairperson of the Grangegorman Development Agency. The agency is a statutory agency established in 2006 to redevelop the grounds of the former St. Brendan's Hospital in Dublin city centre. Its functions range from planning and constructing the redevelopment to handing over the new facilities on completion. Today we have an opportunity to engage with Mr. Cussen. As part of the programme for Government, when public appointments are made, in particular of chairpersons of State agencies, the Oireachtas has an opportunity to engage with those chairpersons before they take up their positions. This brings about more openness and transparency in respect of public appointments. This meeting is being held in public.