Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to meet officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to discuss the roadworthiness package, COM (2012) 380 and COM (2012) 380. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Maurice Treacy and Mr. Kieran Baker from the Department. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise the officials that the opening statements they have submitted will be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Treacy to make his opening statement.