John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now deal with COM (2013) 195, a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 and laying down, for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community, the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic. The purpose of the meeting is to hear the views of delegates from the Irish Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association of Ireland on this particular proposal. I welcome Mr. Eoin Gavin, president of the IRHA, and Mr. Jerry Kiersey, deputy vice president of that organisation.

The witnesses are informed that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to their committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Delegates are further directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or 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 that any submission or opening statement the witnesses have submitted to the committee will be published on our website after the meeting. 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. Gavin to make an opening statement.