Chairman:

I ask members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting service. On behalf of the committee I extend a warm welcome to Mr. John McCarthy, Secretary General of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Ms Mary Hurley, assistant secretary in the social housing division general, Mr. Paul Hogan, senior adviser, planning, Mr. Seán Armstrong, senior adviser, building standards, Ms Sarah Neary, principal adviser, housing advisers and building standards and Mr. Martin Hehir.

Before we begin the formal proceedings I must advise witnesses on privilege. 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 it 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. McCarthy to give his opening statement.