Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

Apologies have been received from Deputy Eoin Ó Broin.

I congratulate my party colleague the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, and his wife Inga on the birth of their son. The child came early, so we wish them well.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in our public meetings.

Today the select committee is required to consider the Supplementary Estimate in respect of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – Vote 34. I welcome the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, and his officials to the meeting. We appreciate the comprehensive briefing material that was provided by the Department ahead of today's meeting. It has been circulated among members.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards references witnesses may make to another person 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. Witnesses are 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 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.

Today’s meeting is about the Supplementary Estimate. In two weeks' time, on Tuesday, 9 December, we will have a meeting with the Minister on the housing plan, as requested by members. Since there will be a full meeting on the plan, we might try to confine our questions today to the Supplementary Estimate, which is what today’s meeting is about. The joint committee will have a session on the Planning and Development Act following this meeting.

I have to attend Questions on Policy or Legislation in the Dáil today, so Deputy Séamus McGrath will take the Chair for the beginning of the meeting. I invite the Minister to make his opening comments on the Supplementary Estimate.