Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have convened this afternoon to consider the review of Part B (Fire Safety) of the building regulations. We are joined, from the building standards unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, by Ms Sarah Neary, principal adviser, Mr. John Wickham, senior adviser, and Mr. Eoin O'Dowd, adviser. From the building control division of Dublin City Council, we are joined by Mr. Pat Nestor, senior building surveyor, and Mr. Alan Isdell, senior executive building surveyor. From Dublin Fire Brigade, we are joined by Mr. Dennis Keeley, chief fire officer, and Ms Mary O'Brien, assistant chief fire officer. I thank them for their attendance and for assisting committee members to get an understanding of what exactly we have done with Part B as part of this review process. The committee had a series of meetings a year and a half or two years ago where we looked a dereliction and vacancy, as well as the whole issue of Part B and how it comes into the refurbishment and reuse of buildings, especially when building with timber and other modern methods of construction.

Before we begin, I will read a note on privilege. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. The witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contributions to today's meeting. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. Members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy and it is my duty, as Chair, to ensure the privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. No witnesses are attending remotely.

Members and witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Neary to make her opening statement on behalf of the Department.