Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to our virtual public meeting. Before we hear from our witnesses, we have some business to attend to regarding the rules around privilege. I remind members that they must be on the Leinster House complex in order to attend this meeting. If any member attempts to participate from outside Leinster House, I will ask him or her to leave the meeting. I remind witnesses that as they are giving their evidence from outside Leinster House, they may not have the same privilege they would have if they were in Leinster House. They may think it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. They are further reminded that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or damage the good name of any person. If I say that I think a witness is breaking this rule, he or she must stop.

This is our fifth public meeting about Traveller accommodation. In today's meeting we will discuss access to housing and accommodation, including Traveller-specific accommodation. Poor living conditions are one of the biggest social determinants with regard to health and education outcomes, and, subsequently, employment prospects. Do we have the right policies, legislation, regulation and funding for Traveller accommodation at national level? What about implementation at local authority level?

On behalf of the committee, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our witnesses today. Céad míle fáilte romhaibh. We have representatives from both the national level, in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and local authorities, in the form of the CCMA. From the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I welcome Mr. Paul Benson, principal officer for housing grants, local authority stock improvement and Traveller accommodation, and Mr. Eamonn Waters, principal officer for homelessness. I propose that we publish the opening statements from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the County and City Management Association, CCMA. Is that agreed? Agreed. I invite Mr. Benson to make an opening statement of between five and ten minutes.