Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to the meeting. The committee meets again to carry out pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the land value sharing and urban development zones Bill 2022. I welcome the representatives from the County and City Management Association, Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive of Fingal County Council; Ms Máire Igoe, acting executive manager of Dublin City Council; and Ms Deirdre Scully, planning officer of Dublin City Council. I thank them for giving up time from their busy day to assist us with this legislation. The opening statement has been circulated to members.

I will read a short note on privilege before we begin. 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, in order to participate in meetings. Those witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contributions to today's meeting. 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 witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses 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 invite Ms Farrelly to make her opening statement.