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

At the request of 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 to just put their phone on silent mode as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

No. 5 on the agenda is an update on Rebuilding Ireland. I welcome to today's meeting the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, and officials from the Department.

Before we begin, 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 call on the Minister to make his opening statement.