Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will resume our detailed scrutiny of the Residential Tenancies (Student Rents, Rights and Protections) Bill 2018. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Paul Dunne and Mr. Andrew Harkin, and from the Department of Education and Skills, Ms Donna Maguire, Ms Trudy Duffy and Mr. Philip Crosby.

Before we start, I draw witnesses' 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 the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 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 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.

We will go straight into the questions with Deputy Ó Broin.