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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members, delegates and those in the Visitors 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 the device used. It is not sufficient to leave their phones in silent mode as it will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

No. 3 on the agenda is housing for older people. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Ms Mary Hurley, Mr. Sarah Neary and Ms Patricia Curran from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; Mr. Niall Redmond and Ms Frances Spillane from the Department of Health; and Mr. Derek Tynan and Mr. John O'Mahony from the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If, however, 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 invite Ms Hurley to make her opening statement.