Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Today we engage with the Think-tank for Action on Social Change, TASC, to examine expenditure on schemes for the provision of housing, including the rental accommodation scheme, RAS, and the housing assistance payment, HAP. This follows on from our examination of the accounts of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage last November. The Department funds these schemes and this engagement will help inform our next engagement with the Department, which is scheduled for 3 June.

We are joined remotely from outside the precincts of Leinster House by Dr. Robert Sweeney, senior economic and policy analyst at TASC. I welcome him to the meeting and thank him and his colleagues for the briefing material they prepared for the committee. When we begin to engage, I ask Members to mute themselves when not contributing so we do not pick up background noise or feedback. As usual, I also remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off.

Before we start, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference that may be made to other persons in evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. However, today’s witness is giving his evidence remotely, from a place outside the parliamentary precincts, and as such may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. The witness has already been advised that he may think it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 218 that the committee shall refrain from enquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government, or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies. Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 understand Dr. Sweeney is making a presentation to the committee, so I ask him to share his presentation now so we can confirm it is visible on our screens.