Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to this meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which we have convened to receive an update on Housing for All. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, and their officials to the meeting and thank them for their attendance. The opening statement and relevant papers were circulated among members in advance of the meeting.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which 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 to today's meeting. 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 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 their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such 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 either a person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement, after which we will go to the members for questions and answers.