Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank all the witnesses for coming. From the County and City Management Association, CCMA, we are joined by Mr. Frank Curran, chair of the housing, building and land use committee, Mr. Eddie Taaffe, programme co-ordinator of the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, housing delivery co-ordination office, and Ms Margaret Geraghty, assistant programme co-ordinator at the same office. From the Housing Alliance, we are joined by Mr. Sean O'Connor, chair, Ms Sharon Cosgrove, director, and Ms Camille Loftus, executive director. Opening statements and briefings have been circulated to members. I understand the CCMA representatives may have to leave a little early. I ask members to bear that in mind when they ask their questions. I will begin by asking the witnesses for their opening statements. Members will then be invited to address their questions. As always, I ask them to please remember to confine their questions to five minutes at first. If possible, we will come back to them at the end.

Before we begin, I will go through the rigmarole of reminding members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. Members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy. It is my duty as temporary Chairperson to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with this direction.

Members and witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary privilege 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 opening statements have been submitted to the committee and will be published on its website after this meeting.

I call Mr. Curran to make his opening statement.