Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This session is examining the impact of Brexit on the housing market. In our second session today we will meet representatives of Property Industry Ireland. On behalf of the committee I wish to welcome Mr. Tom Phillips, Dr. David Duffy and Mr. Mark FitzGerald.

I will set out the position on privilege for witnesses before we proceed further. I wish to draw your 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 to this committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to that effect. Where possible, you 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Dr. Duffy to make his opening statement.