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 for Dublin. We have received apologies from the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Matthews.

This is the third of three meetings scheduled to assist the committee in fulfilling a direction from the Dáil to consider the recommendations of the citizens' assembly on a directly elected mayor for Dublin and whether a plebiscite is required as well as the wording of any such plebiscite. The first meeting was with the cathaoirligh and chief executives of the four Dublin local authorities. The second was with the National Transport Authority and officials from the Departments of Education and Health, and the HSE. The third meeting is with the four Dublin Chambers of Commerce and the public participation networks, PPNs, from the four local authorities to try to capture the community and voluntary voice. Not all of those invited have been able to attend given the short notice we have been given for our work on this matter. However, all have been asked to make a submission, including, in their absence, those who have been unable to attend.

We are joined by Ms Mary Rose Burke, Mr. Stephen Browne and Ms Aebhric McGibney from Dublin Chamber and Mr. Anthony Cooney and Mr. David Branagan from Fingal Chamber. We will receive a submission from Ms Gabby Mallon from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber. We are also joined by Mr. Adrian Geissel from South Dublin Chamber. From the public participation networks, we are joined by Mr. Lee Dillon, Mr. Martin Hoey and Mr. Gavan Woods of Dublin City Public Participation Network and Ms Kay Gleeson from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Participation Network.

We have circulated the opening statements from the chambers. I will read a short note on privilege to guide the meeting.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present in the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. Those 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 this meeting. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege they enjoy, and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue those remarks, and it is imperative they comply. We have no witnesses online today.

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 any official either by name or in such a way that he or she may be identifiable. Opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on our portal after the meeting.

I invite the chambers to make opening statements. I will show my bias, having come from Dublin City Council, and invite Dublin Chamber to do so first, followed by Fingal and then South Dublin county councils.