Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The committee is meeting this morning to discuss dereliction and vacancy and some of the work being done by the local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in addressing these matters. From the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, we are joined by Ms Caroline Timmons, acting assistant secretary; Ms Ann Marie O'Connor, principal officer; and Mr. David Healy, assistant principal officer. From the County and City Management Association, CCMA, we are joined by Mr. Kieran Kehoe, director of services, Waterford City and County Council, and Mr. Gordon Daly, Limerick City and County Council. The witnesses are all very welcome and I thank them for their attendance at the committee this morning. I always acknowledge when we invite witnesses before the committee that it takes up a considerable part of their day and takes them from the work they are doing. We appreciate their attendance and their assistance with this matter.

I will read a short 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, 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 this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members and witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 ask Ms Timmons, on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Mr. Kehoe, on behalf of the CCMA, to make their opening statements in that order. I now invite Ms Timmons to make her opening statement.