Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)

Good evening everyone. I will read some formal notices now regarding privilege. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where the member is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

Our next order of business is our engagement in relation to No. P00020/25, Pearse House regeneration, with Mr. Neil Maloney, petitioner and secretary of the Pearse House Residents Association. Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practice of the Houses as regards reference witnesses and members may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present, or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. The witness is reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that he 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 the witness' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, he will be directed to discontinue his remarks. It is imperative that he comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witness, I propose we publish his opening statement on the committee’s website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a very warm welcome to our witness, Mr. Neil Maloney, who is the petitioner and secretary of the Pearse House Residents Association. Mr. Maloney will read his opening statement, which should take about ten minutes. We will then have an opportunity for questions and answers. Each member will have a chance to make a contribution. I thank Mr. Maloney very much for being here. I now invite him to make his submission.