Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is the second session of our detailed scrutiny of the Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017 today. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Terry Sheridan, Ms Sarah Neary, Mr. Niall Cussen and Mr. Brendan Buggy of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

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

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 joint 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. 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I ask Mr. Terry Sheridan to make his opening statement.