Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The committee is meeting today to begin pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the affordable housing Bill 2020. We are joined remotely by officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I welcome Mr. Barry Quinlan, assistant secretary of the housing, affordability and homelessness division. From the capital infrastructure and affordability unit I welcome Mr. Robert Nicholson, principal officer. They are joined by Ms Marian O'Driscoll, assistant principal and Mr. Alan Smith, assistant principal.

Members have been circulated with the opening statements and briefing material. I now invite the officials to make their opening statements and then members will ask their questions. I ask members to identify themselves clearly and whether they are in the confines of Leinster House, as this helps the Debates team here.

Members attending remotely from the Leinster House complex are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory to an identifiable person or entity and a member is directed by the committee to discontinue remarks, it is imperative that he or she complies with the request.

There are some limitations on parliamentary privilege for witnesses attending remotely and as such they may not benefit from the same level of immunity to legal proceedings as a person who is physically present. 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I remind members of the requirement to be physically present in the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House and-or the convention centre, in order to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who intends to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

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.

The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after this meeting.