Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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The Chairman, Deputy Michael McCarthy, is briefly absent but will return presently to assume the Chair. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the general scheme of the planning and development (No. 1) Bill 2014 with representatives of the Association of Irish Local Government, Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, Leitrim County Council and the Local Authority Members' Association. I welcome, from the Association of Irish Local Government, Councillor Padraig McNally, president and cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council; Councillor Colm Brophy, vice-president, whom I know from my previous incarnation as a councillor on South Dublin County Council; Councillor Sinead Guckian, member of the executive committee and also a member of Leitrim County Council; and Councillor Damien Geoghegan, member of the executive committee and also a member of Waterford City and County Council.

From the county council group, I welcome Mr. Tim Lucey, chief executive, Cork County Council; Mr. John O’Neill, director of planning, Cork County Council; Mr. Richard Keating, senior executive officer, property and management, Cork County Council; Mr. Andrew Hind, senior planner, Cork County Council; Mr. Frank Curran, chief executive, Leitrim County Council; and Mr. Jim Keogan, assistant chief executive, Dublin City Council.

From the Local Authority Members Association, I welcome Councillor John Sheahan, Limerick City and County Council, Councillor Sean McGower, Leitrim County Council, Councillor Bobby O'Connell, general secretary, Kerry County Council and Councillor Noel Bourke, Offaly County Council.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, has requested the committee to scrutinise the heads of the general scheme of the planning and development (No. 1) Bill 2014 and to report to him on it prior to its publication. The committee has already met with officials from the Department, as well as representatives from the Construction Industry Federation, the Housing Agency and the Irish Planning Institute. It has also received written submissions on the issue from several other organisations.

I call on Mr. Padraig McNally, president, Association of Irish Local Government, to make his opening statement.