Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have received no apologies. Deputies are welcome. Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through.

In accordance with Standing Orders I wish to make the following declaration:

I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully, and to the best of my knowledge and ability, execute the office of Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of Members within the Constitution and Standing Orders.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that, in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members of the committee attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that, in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask members partaking via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that members comply with any such direction.

I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Cathaoirleach of the housing, local government and heritage committee for the term of the Thirty-fourth Dáil and the Twenty-seventh Seanad. The remit of this committee covers one of the most acutely important issues for our country at this moment, that is, housing. While I appreciate the remit of the committee is wider than this and we therefore need balance, we are also in a housing crisis, so there needs to be a significant focus on housing for the term ahead and as long as is required.

I welcome you all as members of this committee and look forward to welcoming our colleagues from the Seanad next week. We have a lot of work to do together and it is by us all working together that we can make positive changes. I welcome all new members to the committee. In particular, I welcome back Deputies Gould and Ó Broin, who sat on this committee in the previous term. I commend them on their individual work and contribution to the previous committee and recognise the work of the previous committee and those before it.

A key piece of work during the previous committee term that is still fresh in our minds and took a significant amount of effort was the Planning and Development Act. Now that it has been legislated, a key role for this committee is to ensure it is reviewed and, more importantly, fully implemented and that those responsible for implementing it are held accountable.

I will not speak too much as I will be repeating myself next week when we formally come together as a joint committee.

For now, I look forward to working with you all in a genuine spirit of partnership and co-operation in generating and sharing ideas through active engagement and capitalising on the breadth of experience and knowledge we have in the room. We all have a shared aim of addressing the many issues and challenges relating to housing, local government and heritage and to improve the lives of those living in our country.