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 their evidence to the joint committee. However, 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. The opening statements submitted to the committee will 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, 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 of flight mode, depending on the device used.

The committee is pleased to have an opportunity to discuss local economic and community plans. The purpose of such a plan is to promote local and community development in the relevant local authority area through a more co-ordinated and collaborative approach to planning and service delivery. The plan is a key mechanism for action in respect of the national Action Plan for Jobs and other relevant Government policies and strategies. From the County and City Management Association I warmly welcome Mr. Paul Reid, Mr. Pat Dowling and Ms Dorothy Clarke; and from the Association of Irish Local Government Mr. Pat Daly, president; Mr. Damien Geoghegan, Mr. Paul Taylor, Mr. Liam Kenny, Mr. Tom Moylan and Mr. John Crowe. I thank everyone for attending.

We have the statements and can take them as read, however if delegates want to read them, it is no problem. The purpose is more about interaction and finding out how these plans are working in local authorities throughout the country. I invite Mr. Paul Reid to make a presentation on behalf of the County and City Management Association, CCMA.