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

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to safe or flight mode, depending on device. It is not sufficient to just put a phone in silent mode as it still causes interference with the broadcasting system. The next item is a discussion on the role and remuneration of elected local authority members. Today's meeting will involve an engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, on the topic. On behalf of the committee I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the meeting.

Before beginning I draw the attention of members and witnesses 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 the evidence given to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of the 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, 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 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.

Before beginning, I am letting members know that if a vote is called in the Chamber, Senator Martin Conway has agreed to take the Chair to allow the meeting to continue. As is normal practice, I will take comments from committee members first in their engagement with the Minister of State. I will take others as they indicate. There are many people here today and we do not have much time so I will limit each contribution to two minutes in the hope we can get around for a second time. Is that agreed? Agreed.