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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members are requested to ensure for the duration of the meeting that their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device. It is not sufficient for members to put their phones on silent mode as this will maintain the level of interference with the broadcasting system.

In accordance with standard procedures agreed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for paperless committees, all documentation for the meeting has been circulated to members on the document database.

Apologies have been received from Senators Murnane O'Connor, Grace O'Sullivan and Coffey, and Deputy O'Dowd. Deputy Barry will substitute for Deputy Coppinger.

Today we resume scrutiny of Deputy Ó Cuív's Electoral (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile, Ms Mairead Ryan and Ms Mary Lane from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

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 this 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 call Ms Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile to make her opening statement.