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

We will now hear the views of the Freight Transport Association Ireland, FTAI, on COM (2013) 195, an EU legislative proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 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. As agreed at last week’s meeting, following consideration of the letter submitted by the FTAI on the ending on 1 November 2013 of the derogation on the height of trucks provided for in SI 366 of 2008, we will also hear from the FTAI in regard to its proposal for the introduction of a permit system which would allow for trucks greater than 4.65 m in height to continue to operate on Irish roads.

On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome Mr. Aidan Flynn, Mr. Tom Wilson, Mr. Peter Scallan and Mr. Huw Jenkins of the Freight Transport Association of Ireland. I wish to draw your attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, 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 also wish to advise you that any submission or opening statements you have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after this 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 call on Mr. Flynn to make the opening statement.