Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses to the second session. From Age Action, we have Ms Mary Murphy, Dr. Nat O'Connor and Ms Celine Clarke, who are attending via Microsoft Teams, from Alone, we have Mr. Seán Moynihan and from the Sue Ryder Foundation, we have Mr. Gavin Reid. They are all very welcome and we appreciate their input. This is part of a process where the committee is examining this issue of the supply of housing for older people. We will issue a recommendation via a report and thus the organisations' insights are very welcome indeed.

I must repeat part of the privilege warning for our new witnesses. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contribution to today's meeting. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. There are some limitations to parliamentary privilege for witnesses attending via Microsoft Teams from outside the Leinster House complex. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as does a person who is physically present within the complex.

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. 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.

Time is against us. We will move to our opening statements. Our guests have five minutes. I may cut them off but they have been supplied to the committee. I do that so that we can have the best interaction during questions. I will start with Ms Mary Murphy of Age Action.