Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

This morning we continue our pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft planning and development Bill 2022. We are joined from the environmental and planning law committee of the Law Society by Ms Rachel Minch SC, committee chair, Mr. Conor Linehan SC, committee vice-chair, and Mr. Nap Keeling, committee member, and from the planning, environmental and local government Bar Association by Mr. Tom Flynn SC. They are all very welcome and I thank them for their attendance this morning.

Copies of the witnesses' opening statements and briefings have been circulated to members in advance of the meeting. I must read a quick note on privilege before we start. 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, to participate in public meetings. Those attending in the committee room 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. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that 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 and 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.

Before I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements, for their information, this is a series of meetings in which we have been carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny on this first draft of the planning and development Bill 2022. I invite Ms Minch to make her opening statement on behalf of the Law Society.