Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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I advise members to turn off their mobile phones, as, if they are left on, they will interfere with the sound system and RTE will not be able to pick up the proceedings.

Today we will discuss the housing of members of the Traveller community by local authorities. I welcome Ms Lorraine McMahon, co-ordinator, Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project; Ms Catherine Joyce, co-ordinator, and Ms Maria Joyce, Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group; Mr. Martin Riordan, county manager and Ms Karina Cremin, senior executive officer, Cork County Council; Mr. Dick Brady, assistant city manager, Ms Celine Reilly, executive manager, and Mr. Kieran Cunningham, senior executive officer, Dublin City Council; Mr. David O'Connor, county manager, and Ms Ann Marie Farrelly, director of services, housing and community department, and Mr. Philip Long, senior executive officer, housing and community department, Fingal County Council; Ms Brigid Quilligan and Ms Brigid Casey, national accommodation officer, Irish Traveller Movement, Mr. Martin Collins, co-director, Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre; Ms Anne Burke, community worker, Traveller Visibility Group, Cork. I thank all the delegates for their attendance.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and any other document submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after the hearing. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect 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.

There are eight groups of delegates. That is a large number and I do not want to get bogged down in opening statements. All of the opening statements submitted have been circulated to members. Therefore, I ask everyone to confine his or her opening remarks to five minutes. That is not a target but a limit. If delegates can make their statements in a shorter time, so much the better. I do not want to stifle debate but to give delegates a chance to speak and particularly time for interaction with members of the committee. It is vital to have ample time for that part of the proceedings. There is, therefore, no need to read in full the opening statements. If delegates want to make a few points without reading their statements, even better.

I propose that we hear the delegates in the following order: Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre; Cork County Council; Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project; Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group; Dublin City Council; the Irish Traveller Movement; Traveller Visibility Group, Cork, and Fingal County Council.

Before we commence the discussion, I want to thank Deputy Ellis for raising this issue at the committee. He is substituting for Deputy Stanley. I know Deputy Ellis has a particular interest in this issue, as have all public representatives, but he has been to the fore on this issue and it is because of his contribution that we are all here this afternoon.

The availability and access of domestic accommodation for any individual is a fundamental right. The committee was concerned when it was brought to its attention that there were some issues in regard to moneys that were not drawn down. There may be very good reasons for that. The purpose of this meeting is to share and exchange information around that and to try to come up with solutions and hopefully pass them on to the Minister on how we can address that anomaly.

Money is scarce in the current economic climate but people's housing needs will always be of paramount importance. It is a basic requirement that we as human beings have and we need to be conscious of that as we debate this issue. There may be some problems, administrative or otherwise, in this respect and if that is the case, we can elicit that information and establish a response around that. I am particularly interested to hear what the groups dealing with this issue at the coalface have to say about that. I call Mr. Collins from Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre.