Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We are meeting to begin our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the residential tenancies (right to purchase) Bill 2023. Apologies have been received from Deputy O'Donoghue and Senator Boyhan. To assist us in our deliberations on the heads of the Bill, we are joined by representatives from the Irish Property Owners' Association, namely, Mr. Brendan Allen and Mr. Maurice Deverell. We are joined by the following representatives from Threshold: Ms Ann-Marie O'Reilly and Mr. Zak Murtagh. From the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers we are joined by Mr. Patrick Davitt, Mr. John Kennedy and Ms Valerie Mogerley. They are all very welcome. The opening statements and background documentation have been circulated among members.

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 contributions. 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 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.

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 present.

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 of witnesses will be published on our committee's website after the meeting. I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements, starting with those from the IPOA, followed by those from Threshold and IPAV.