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

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

No. 5 on the agenda is detailed scrutiny of the Vacant Housing Refurbishment Bill 2017, which is a Private Members' Bill, and we will have two sessions on it today. In our first session, I welcome on behalf of the committee Mr. Alan Baldwin and Mr. Noel Larkin from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Mr. David Browne and Mr. Joe Kennedy from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, and Ms Orla Hegarty and thank them for attending today.

Before we begin, I draw witnesses' 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 Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call Mr. Baldwin to make his opening statement.