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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording service, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of their meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or are switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on their device. It is not sufficient to put one's phone on silent mode as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

Today's meeting will involve consideration of item 3 on the agenda which is the topic of social housing financing through enhanced leasing, land initiatives and PPPs. On behalf of the committee I welcome Ms Cathy Bryce and Mr. Paul O'Neill from the National Development Finance Agency and Ms Áine Myler and Mr. Michael Cleary from the Society of the Chartered Surveyors Ireland to today's meeting.

Before we begin I refer to privilege. I draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence given to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 they 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 that under long-standing parliamentary practice members 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 now call on Ms Bryce to make her opening statement.