Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Today's meeting is to discuss an update on the tenant in situprocess. From the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, we are joined by Ms Áine Stapleton, assistant secretary with responsibility for social housing delivery; Mr. David Kelly, principal officer in charge of housing finance and delivery co-ordination; and Ms Rosemarie Tobin, principal officer with responsibility for homelessness policy, funding and delivery. From the County and City Management Association, CCMA, we are joined by Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, CEO of Fingal County Council; Mr. Coilín O'Reilly, assistant chief executive with responsibility for housing and community at Dublin City Council; and Ms Mary Hayes, director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, DRHE. The witnesses are all welcome. I thank them for their attendance and for the briefing documents they sent to the committee in advance of the meeting, copies of which were circulated to members.

We extended an invitation to today's meeting to the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB. Representatives of the board were unable to attend the meeting but they sent us on the latest relevant data they have collected.

Before we proceed, I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they be physically present within the confines of the place in which the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. Witnesses attending in the committee room are advised that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contributions to today's meeting. This means they will have an absolute defence against any defamation action arising from anything they say in the meeting. Both members are 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 any statements made are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, speakers will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that speakers 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Stapleton to make her opening statement on behalf of the Department.