Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to meet with the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to discuss issues relating to road safety. I am pleased to welcome on behalf of the committee Mr. Sam Waide, chief executive officer, Mr. Brendan Walsh, chief operations officer, Mr. Michael Rowland, director of research, standards and assurance, Ms Nessa Kelly, director of strategy, performance and transformation, and Ms Sarah O’Connor, director of partnerships and external affairs.

I will read a note on privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. 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 that they comply with any such direction.

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 remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not be able to permit any member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside of the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members participating via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

This is a very important topic, which we have discussed previously. It is a matter of the utmost concern and importance to the nation as a whole but particularly to this committee, which is tasked with looking at transport matters. We are very glad that Mr. Waide has been able to make time in his very busy schedule to be here to outline his concerns. We will have a discussion after his opening statement.