Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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We will now consider the general scheme of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill with representatives of St. Andrew's Resource Centre, Ringsend Community Services Forum, the Inner City Renewal Group, Dublin City Council community forum, and the Dublin Docklands Community Liaison Committee.
I welcome Ms Betty Ashe and Ms Dolores Wilson from St. Andrew's Resource Centre; Mr. Peter Dowling from Ringsend Community Services Forum, who has yet to arrive; Mr. Seanie Lambe and his colleague from the Inner City Renewal Group; Mr. Robert Moss and his colleagues from the Dublin City Council community forum; and Ms Frances Corr and Mr. Tony McDonnell from Dublin Docklands Community Liaison Committee. I thank them for their attendance here today. I propose that we hear the witnesses in the order in which I announced them. Is that agreed? Agreed.
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. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Opening statements and any other documents submitted to the committee will be published on its website after this meeting.Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
We are examining the general scheme of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014. We have already considered this issue with a number of witnesses during our first consideration days. Our discussion will allow us to examine further the issues that are important to the various groups operating in the Dublin docklands area. The legislation is important to the groups and I am very interested in hearing their views on it and on further developments in the Dublin docklands area.
I invite Ms Betty Ashe fromSt. Andrew's Resource Centre.