Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Is it agreed to take the two items of business before us together? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy O'Sullivan, and her officials, Mr. Philip Nugent, Ms Aileen Doyle, Mr. Niall Cussen and Mr. Aidan Culhane, to the meeting. I draw their attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give this committee. If a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise them that any opening statements or documents submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website following this meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome the establishment of an independent planning regulator and hope that the Minister of State will in her contribution this afternoon outline the precise functions of that regulator. Members will be aware that this recommendation arose out of the Mahon tribunal and is one of the steps necessary to restore public confidence not alone in the planning process but in politicians and the body politic. The integrity and independence of the planning system in Ireland is of fundamental importance to how local government and the body politic operates. The perception of this is as critical as the integrity around how the system works. We are all aware of the disrepute to the system down through the years. Since the foundation of the State there have been approximately 1,120 Deputies. While the appearance of any number of Deputies before a tribunal is unwelcome there were only a handful of them involved. In any event, the fall-out from the tribunal has been huge and has left a huge black mark and stain on Irish political life. It is hoped that the creation of this regulator will go a good way towards repairing some, if not all, of the damage done by those handful of individuals.

I now invite the Minister of State to make her presentation.