Noel Rock (Dublin North West, 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 airplane, safe or flight mode depending on the device. It is not sufficient to put phones on silent mode as this will maintain that level of interference with the broadcasting system.

I welcome to today's meeting Ms Kath Cottier, Mr. Matt Cleary and Mr. Andrew Prior from the Construction Defects Alliance; and Mr. Des McCabe from the Apartment Owners Network. They are all very welcome and I thank them for coming in and sharing their time.

I draw the attention of 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 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 Houses, or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now call on Ms Cottier to make her opening statement.