Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. The purpose of the meeting is to carry out pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021. We are joined today by the following witnesses from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Eamonn Kelly, principal officer; Mary Brady, assistant principal, and Aisling Holohan, administrative officer.

Members have been circulated with the briefing and the opening statement. I will ask Mr. Kelly to make his opening statement and we will then go to members for five minutes of questions and answers. Members attending remotely from within the Leinster House complex are protected by absolute privilege in respect of any presentation they might make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action regarding anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege. It is my duty as Chairman to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if a member's statement is potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, he or she will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks and it is imperative that the member complies with any such direction. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in a public 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 the committee website after this meeting. I invite Mr. Kelly to make his opening statement.