Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the joint committee. If, however, 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submission or opening statement submitted to the committee may be published on its website after the meeting.

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.

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery are requested to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device used, and not left in silent mode.

I welcome the representatives of An Bord Pleanála. The committee is pleased to have the opportunity to hear and discuss their presentation on its annual report and accounts for 2015 which were published recently. They are Dr. Mary Kelly, chairperson; Mr. Conall Boland; Ms Loretta Lambkin; Ms Rachel Kenny and Mr. Gerard Egan. I invite Dr. Kelly to proceed with the presentation.