Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to the committee. Today we begin pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the monuments and archaeological heritage Bill. We are joined by the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan, who I welcome. He is accompanied by officials from the National Monuments Service: Ms Emer Connolly, director; Mr. Michael MacDonagh, chief archaeologist; Mr. Seán Carpenter, assistant principal; Ms Nessa Foley, assistant principal; and Mr. Seán Kirwan, senior archaeologist. Members have been circulated with the briefing note, the general scheme and overview of the proposed Bill and the Minister of State's opening statement through Microsoft Teams.

I remind members 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, in order to participate in public meetings. Those 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 have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. For witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House complex, 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 complex. Members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy, and it is my duty as Chair to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to 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 invite the Minister of State to make his opening statement.