Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will get straight to business because our time is limited and we would like to get everybody in. The Minister of State with responsibility for planning and local government, Deputy Peter Burke, and officials from his Department are with us. I thank him for joining us. He may call on these officials to speak briefly to clarify points. I am aware of the wide range of issues that will form the subject of today's discussion. If necessary, further and more detailed information on certain issues that are raised or questions that arise may be sent to the clerk to the committee for circulation afterwards.

Members are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the precincts of the Leinster House complex. In that regard, I ask all members to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contributions. For the information of anybody watching online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing this meeting remotely. Only the Chairman and the necessary support staff who are essential to the running of the meeting are physically present here in the Seanad Chamber. Due to the unprecedented circumstances and the large number of people attending the meeting, I ask everybody to bear with us should any technical issues arise.

With regard to privilege, witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Witnesses giving evidence from a location outside of the parliamentary precincts should note that the constitutional protection afforded to witnesses attending to give evidence before committees may not extend to them. No clear guidance can be given on whether, or the extent to which, the evidence given is covered by absolute privilege. Persons giving evidence from other jurisdictions should also be mindful of their domestic statutory regime, although that does not apply in this case.

I call on Minister of State to give his opening statement.