Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members, witnesses and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure their mobile telephones are turned off completely or switched to airplane or flight mode, depending on their device, for the duration of the meeting. It is not sufficient to put telephones on silent mode, as there may still be interference with the broadcasting system.

We resume our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Land Development Agency Bill 2019. I welcome Ms Kathryn Meghen and Mr. John O'Mahony from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland; Ms Caroline Spillane and Dr. Kieran Feighan from Engineers Ireland; Mr. Patrick King and Ms Áine Myler from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland; and Mr. James Benson and Mr. Seán O'Neill from the Construction Industry Federation.

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 Ms Meghen to make her opening statement.