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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and those in the Visitors Gallery are asked to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting and transmission of the proceedings. It is not sufficient merely to leave them in silent mode as it will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting and recording systems.

No. 5 on the agenda is a discussion of housing standards, with specific reference to fire safety and damp. I welcome from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Mr. Paul Lemass, Ms Sarah Neary, Mr. John Barry and Mr. Conor O'Sullivan. From UCD I welcome Ms Paula Hegarty. From the Royal Institute of Architects I welcome Mr. John O'Mahony and Mr. Peter Bluett. From Dublin Fire Brigade I welcome Mr. Dennis Keeley and Ms Mary O'Brien. Many of the delegates are regular visitors to the joint committee and I thank them very much for attending yet again.

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 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.