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

It is a great pleasure to welcome witnesses and members to our fourth meeting on the proposals of the citizens' assembly regarding a directly elected mayor for Dublin. This committee has been asked by the Dáil to consider if a plebiscite is needed and to consider the potential wording of such a plebiscite. We have already held three hearings on the matter, the first being with the current chief executives and cathaoirligh of the Dublin local authorities. The second meeting dealt with some of the agencies that are touched on in the report, although not all of them, and the third dealt with the public participation networks or the community representative structure in the city and the chambers of commerce. Deputy Higgins suggest that we invite the chair of the citizens' assembly, Mr. Jim Gavin, to be with us today. He is very welcome.

Everybody here is very appreciative of the work he did as chair and we look forward to getting into the detail of the report. I was referencing the citizens' assembly rather than the work Jim did with the Dublin football team, but that is taken as read. From the Dublin Citizens' Assembly, we are joined by Mr. Jim Gavin, the chair, Mr. Art O'Leary, secretary, and Ms Nicole O'Connor, a member. We are also joined by Dr. Bríd Quinn and Professor Deiric Ó Broin of the expert advisory panel. Members have been circulated with the relevant papers.

Before I begin, I want to read a note on privilege. 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, to participate in public meetings. Witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contribution. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. Members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy and it is my duty, as Chair, to ensure this. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with such a 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 any official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Opening statements have been submitted to the committee and will be published on the committee's web page after the meeting. I now invite Mr. Jim Gavin to make his opening statement.