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

Apologies have been received from Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, and Senator Grace O'Sullivan has had to leave to attend another meeting but she may be back. At request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are asked to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are switched off or turned to flight mode. It is not sufficient to put them on silent mode only as they still maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

The purpose of the meeting is an update on Rebuilding Ireland, the action plan for housing. I welcome the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and his officials to the meeting. Before we begin, I draw the attention of 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 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 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 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 invite the Minister to make his opening statement.