Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We will resume pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft planning and development Bill 2022. This is the concluding meeting of our series of meetings on the draft Bill. From the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, we are joined today by Mr. Paul Hogan, acting assistant secretary, Ms Mary Jones, principal officer, Mr. Eugene Waters, assistant principal officer, and Ms Claragh Mulhern, acting principal adviser. The witnesses are very welcome. I thank the Department for its opening statement.

I will read a quick note on privilege before we begin. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in public meetings. Witnesses 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.

I will go straight to Mr. Hogan. I invite him to make his opening statement on behalf of the Department.