Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No. 6 on the agenda is a discussion of the role of the chairperson of the Housing Agency and related matters, with particular reference to recently articulated views on the level of homelessness in Ireland.I welcome Mr. Conor Skehan from the Housing Agency.

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the devices used. It is not sufficient to set them to silent mode as it will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

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

During private session we agreed to divide this session into three sections if we were under time pressure. We will take Mr. Skehan's statement in the following order: the Housing Agency and its roles; Mr. Skehan's role as chairperson; and his recently articulated views. I hope members will adhere to that order, where possible.