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

No. 6 on our agenda is housing for people with a disability. I welcome Mr. Tony Cunningham from the Irish Wheelchair Association and Ms Siobhán Barron, Dr. Gerald Craddock and Mr. Edward Crean of the National Disability Authority to the meeting. Before we begin, I draw the attention of the witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 long-standing parliamentary 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.

I invite Mr. Cunningham to make his opening statement.