Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At the request of the broadcasting and recording service, members and those in the Visitors Gallery are requested to ensure that their mobile telephones are turned off completely or switched to aeroplane, safe or flight mode, depending on device, for the duration of the meeting. It is not sufficient to place telephones on silent mode as they will still interfere with the broadcasting system.

The joint committee will now discuss local government reform. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy John Paul Phelan, and his officials.

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 or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister of State to make his opening statement.