Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I remind all those in attendance to ensure that their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off. Today we begin the first of our two-day engagement with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. There is a significant amount of material to cover, which is why we have split the work over two days. The matters for examination today are, from the 2019 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts, Vote 34 - Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Local Government Fund, and chapter 2, central government funding of local authorities. To assist us in our examination of the matters before us today and with regard to the public health guidelines, we are joined by Mr. Graham Doyle, Secretary General of the Department, Ms Mary Hurley, assistant general secretary, and Ms Marguerite Ryan, finance officer. We are also joined remotely by Ms Maria Graham, assistant secretary, planning division, Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh, assistant secretary, water division, Ms Lorraine O'Donoghue, principal officer, local government finance, and Ms Clare Costello from the Housing, Local Government and Heritage Vote section at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. They are all very welcome to the meeting. I thank them and the staff in their Departments for the briefing material that they have prepared for the committee today.

The witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations that they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute defence against any defamation for anything that they say at the meeting. Witnesses are expected, however, not to abuse that privilege and it is my duty as Chairman to ensure that this privilege is not abused. If statements by witnesses are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that witnesses comply with such directions.

While we expect witnesses to answer questions asked by the committee clearly and frankly witnesses can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times, in accordance with the witness protocol. Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 218 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 or objectives of such policies. Members are also 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 also ask that the members and witnesses remove their masks when speaking to ensure that they can be heard and that when members are leaving that they take their seats in the sanitised area.