Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to the committee. We are continuing our series of meetings of engagement with local authorities from throughout the country. From Limerick City and County Council I welcome Dr. Pat Daly, Ms Caroline Curley and Mr. Gordon Daly in the committee room, and online we are joined by Mr. Joe Delaney, Mr. Conor Culloo and Ms Sarah Newell. They are welcome and I thank them for their opening statement. From Waterford City and County Council we are joined by Mr. Michael Walsh and Mr. Ivan Grimes. I welcome them back to the committee. They assisted us with our urban regeneration report and it was helpful. I thank them for their opening statement.

We are engaging with local authorities from throughout the country to look at housing delivery, including historical delivery and the projections and delivery under Housing for All. It is a helpful engagement for members and we have met the four Dublin local authorities, Galway City Council and Cork City Council. We are also engaging with the local authorities in the greater Dublin area, including in Louth, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. The committee agreed today that we will also engage with others that are involved in the provision of housing, including affordable housing bodies, the Land Development Agency, the Department and the Minister.

I will read a brief note on privilege before we commence. 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, to participate in public meetings. For witnesses attending in the committee room, they 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. Those who are attending online have limited privilege and, 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. 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 relation 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 begin with Dr. Daly from Limerick and then take Mr. Walsh from Waterford City and County Council. There are a number of people deputising and substituting in the committee. The format we follow is a seven-minute segment for each member. The seven minutes consists of time to ask questions and receive answers. It is helpful if members direct questions to a particular witness or group.

I invite Dr. Daly to make the opening statement on behalf of Limerick City and County Council.