Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The meeting is resuming. We are in public session. We are considering the General Scheme of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2014 with representatives of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

I welcome the following witnesses to the meeting: Mr Paul Dunne, principal officer, local government HR; Mr. Francis Walsh, local government HR; Mr. Rory O'Leary, local government HR; and Ms Gabrielle McKeown, senior adviser, planning inspectorate, on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. I thank them for their attendance. I know that the witnesses are well used to the formalities, but I shall skip through them as quickly as I can. I wish to draw to the witnesses' attention the fact that, by virtue of section 17(2) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 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. The opening statements and any other documents submitted to the committee may be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice which I outlined at the beginning of the meeting.

I invite Mr. Dunne to make his opening statement.