Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members to the meeting to discuss the right to housing. We are joined in the room by Mr. Wayne Stanley, Ms Aoife Kelly-Desmond and Mr. Gavin Elliot from Home for Good and we are joined remotely by Professor Colm O'Cinneide of University College London. The opening statements and briefings have been circulated to members.

Before we begin I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. Witnesses attending in the committee room 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. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy. It is my duty as Chair to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative 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 will ask the witnesses to make their opening statements and I will ask Home for Good to go first, followed by Professor O'Cinneide. Then we will go to questions and answers with the members, who will have a seven-minute slot for both the question and the answer. I call Mr. Stanley on behalf of Home for Good and he is welcome back to the Oireachtas. I thank him for his attendance today.