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 their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting or switched to airplane-safe or flight mode depending on their device. It is not sufficient to put phones on silent mode as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

Before we begin, we will record our decision in private session on Schedule A - COM (2018) 636, which is the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 as regards a verification procedure related to infringements of rules on the protection of personal data in the context of elections to the European Parliament. It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Today's meeting will be split into two sessions and will involve consideration of the appropriate use of public land. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. John Coleman from the Land Development Agency, LDA, and Mr. Niall Cussen from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to the first session.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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.

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 Mr. Coleman to make his opening statement.