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 aeroplane, safe or flight mode depending on their device. It is not sufficient to put one's phones on silent as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

The next item is consideration of the Project Ireland 2040 plan. Today we are considering the plan and on behalf of the committee I welcome from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Niall Cussen, Mr. Paul Hogan and Ms Alma Walsh who we are all familiar with, and are regular visitors to, the committee.

I wish to 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 a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, he or she is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice 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. I wish to advise the witnesses that the opening statement and any other documents they have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after the meeting. 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, her or it identifiable.

I call on Mr. Cussen to make his opening statement.