Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to this meeting.

The topic of the meeting is the provision of housing for older people. It will be in two sessions. In the first session we are joined from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage by Ms Caroline Timmons, acting assistant secretary, Ms Catherine Comer, principal officer, and Mr. Patrick O'Sullivan, principal officer. From the Department of Health, we are joined by Ms Siobhán McArdle, assistant secretary, and Ms Fiona Larthwell, principal officer. The opening statements and briefing have been circulated to members.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, 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 defamatory action arising from their remarks at the meeting. There are some limitations on parliamentary privilege for witnesses who are attending remotely from outside Leinster House and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a person physically present within the Leinster House complex. Members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy. It is my duty as Chairman to ensure 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 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I thank our guests for their attendance. We hoped to host this meeting in February but I believe there was work ongoing between the Departments, especially in respect of fair deal. We hope to discuss that scheme today. I invite Ms Timmons and then Ms McArdle to make their opening statements.