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

I have received apologies from Deputy Eoin Ó Broin.

I welcome to our second session from the Local Government Audit Service, Ms Niamh Larkin, director of audit, and Mr. Richard Murphy; and from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Paul Lemass, Ms Lorraine O'Donoghue, Ms Sinéad Kehoe, Mr. David Kelly and Mr. Rory O'Leary.

Before we begin, I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 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 nor 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Larkin to make her opening statement.