Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The committee is meeting today to discuss the citizens' assembly report on a directly elected mayor of Dublin. The committee has decided to set aside three meetings to consider the job that has been put before us by the Dáil. The Dáil has sent us the recommendations of the Dublin Citizens' Assembly. It has asked us to consider the recommendations, to consider if a plebiscite is required to implement the office of a directly elected mayor, and to consider what the wording of that plebiscite would be. It has asked us to report back to the Dáil by 31 December. Given the huge demands on this committee, and I know many of the witnesses have the same demands as regards housing, planning and many other issues, we have tried to take some time on Thursdays to deal with this matter. We will have spokespeople from different parties that are not normally members of the committee. I propose, in that scenario, to deal with the members of the committee first and any non-members will be dealt with after that.

We thank the witnesses for being here. We understand it is always short notice when invitations are issued but we appreciate all the witnesses being here today. This is the first session with the local authority chief executives and cathaoirligh, including the cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and its director. Next week it will be followed up with witnesses from the National Transport Authority, NTA, the Department of Education and the HSE. The last week will involve witnesses from the chambers of commerce in the four Dublin local authorities and the public participation networks, as a statutory representation of the community sector. As of today, we will be inviting any other interested bodies to make a written submission to us and it will be considered in the context of our work.

We have received apologies from the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Matthews.

From the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, we are joined by Councillor Karen Feeney, the cathaoirleach, and Ms Clare Bannon, the director. From Dublin City Council, we are joined by Mr. Richard Shakespeare, CEO, and Ms Eileen Quinlivan, deputy CEO. From Fingal County Council, we are joined by Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, CEO. From Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, we are joined by Mr. Frank Curran, CEO, and from South Dublin County Council, we are joined by Mr. Colm Ward, CEO. Apologies have been received from the cathaoirligh of the four local authorities. The opening statements have been circulated to members.

Before we continue, I will read a short note on privilege. I wish to remind members of the constitutional requirement that members 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. For those witnesses attending in the committee room, they 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction should it be issued.

For witnesses attending remotely, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a person who is physically here in the Oireachtas.

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. The opening statements will be published on the committee website after this meeting.

I will now invite the witnesses to make their opening statements. With the committee's permission, I ask that Mr. Shakespeare from Dublin City Council go first as he has another appointment. I am not showing my bias having come from Dublin City Council.