Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Today, we are to engage with the chairman designate of the Land Development Agency, LDA. I welcome to today's meeting Mr. Cormac O'Rourke, chairman designate of the LDA, and Mr. John Coleman, chief executive officer of the LDA. The opening statement furnished by the agency has been circulated. Standing Order 96 provides that the committee has the power to require that the chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role. Today's meeting will be considered to have discharged that requirement.

Members are reminded of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. Members attending remotely from within the Leinster House complex are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contributions to today's meeting. This means they will have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. For witnesses attending remotely, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a person who is physically present within the Leinster House complex. Members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy, and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members and witnesses 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I thank Mr. O'Rourke for sending his opening statement in advance. I invite him to make his opening statement.