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

No. 6 is a discussion of the provision of Traveller accommodation with reference to the review of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation and the implementation of Traveller accommodation programmes. I remind members that we will have two sessions on this topic today. For the first session, we welcome from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, and Mr. David Kelly. From the Housing Agency, we welcome Mr. John O'Connor, Mr. David Silke and Ms Roslyn Molloy.

Before we begin, I draw 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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an 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 ask the Minister of State, Deputy English, to make his opening statement.