Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Item No. 7 is the first implementation report under Rebuilding Ireland, the action plan on housing and homelessness. The joint committee is pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with the Department its first implementation report under Rebuilding Ireland, the action plan on housing and homelessness

I welcome Mr. John McCarthy, Secretary General of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and his officials to today's meeting. I would 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 their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her or it identifiable. The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the 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 an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I wish all the members a happy new year and welcome back to our first meeting of the year. I also welcome the Department here today. I invite Mr. McCarthy to make his presentation.