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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members are asked to ensure that their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to aeroplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their device, for the duration of the meeting. It is not sufficient for members to just put their phones on silent mode because that will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system. Apologies have been received from Deputy Coppinger. Deputy Barry will be appearing in her stead.

No. 6 on the agenda is an examination of the funding model relating to local government finance. I remind members that we will have two sessions today. I very much welcome Mr. Eamonn O'Sullivan and Mr. Garry Martin from the County and City Management Association, CCMA; Councillor Damien Geoghegan, Councillor Danny Owens and Mr. Tom Moylan from the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG; and Mr. Pat McLoughlin and Ms Sheila McMahon from the National Oversight and Audit Commission.

Before we commence, I draw our guests' attention 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.

I invite Mr. Eamonn O'Sullivan from the CCMA to make his opening statement. We usually have five minutes for opening statements.