Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody back to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We are continuing pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024. I welcome the officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We are joined by Mr. David Kelly, assistant secretary in the homelessness, rental and social inclusion division; Mr. Vincent Colgan and Mr. Liam Murray from approved housing body, AHB, policy and agency governance; Ms Sarah Neary and Mr. John Wickham from the building standards advisory unit; and Ms Dorothy Kellegher, social housing policy. They are all very welcome to the meeting.

I will read a short note on privilege for witnesses because I have already read it for members. Witnesses attending the committee room today 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 said at the meeting. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy. It is my duty as Chair to ensure that this privilege is not abused. I am sure nobody will do so.

I invite Mr. Kelly to make his opening statement on behalf of the Department. This meeting will run until 2 o'clock when we will have a hard stop because we have to be in the Dáil Chamber.