Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to continue examination of Vote 34 with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. We specifically met the Department in relation to housing matters in October of last year and the first session today is a resumption of our consideration of housing matters. At our second session we will deal the remainder of the Vote for the Department, including the Local Government Fund; and the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2017 report on central government funding of local authorities.

We requested that members of the County and City Management Association, CCMA, attend on a voluntary basis in order that they might assist us in our deliberations. CCMA members are chief executives of local authorities and the committee is of the view that they play a critical role in the provision of housing. I thank the representatives from the CCMA for making themselves available. While we invited them to attend in order to discuss matters relating to housing, they may stay on for the remainder of proceedings. I hope they find our deliberations interesting. The committee has discussed the fact that provision of funding to local authorities by central government is becoming more convoluted as the years go by and we are having difficulty getting our heads around what is involved. That is why the Comptroller and Auditor General has written a specific chapter on the matter. Our discussion might be helpful all round.

I remind members that the local authorities do not fall directly under the remit of the Committee of Public Accounts. We are absolutely clear on that. The representatives are here voluntarily and we thank them for coming. They are not witnesses before the committee. They are here to assist. The Secretary General of the Department is a witness but the CCMA representatives are here as invited guests to assist us and provide information that could be of benefit.

From the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, we are joined by Mr. John McCarthy, Secretary General, Ms Marguerite Ryan, principal officer, Ms Mary Hurley, assistant secretary general, Ms Nina Murray, principal officer, Ms Theresa Donohue, Mr. Aidan O’Reilly, Mr. Maurice Coughlan and Ms Janet Jacobs. From the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, we are joined by Ms Clare Costello and Ms Margot Dunne. From the CCMA, we are joined by Ms Jackie Maguire, chair of the association and CEO of Meath County Council, and Mr. Conn Murray, chair of the housing committee of the CCMA and CEO of Limerick City and County Council.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off all mobile phones fully. Merely leaving them in silent mode will not prevent them from interfering with the recording and broadcasting systems.

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. If witnesses 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 their 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies. While we expect witnesses to answer questions put by the committee clearly and with candour, they can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times, in accordance with the witness protocol.

We will now hear the opening statement from the Comptroller and Auditor General.