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

No. 8 on the agenda is a discussion with representatives of the Vintage Veteran Trucks Association in Ireland and the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club of the implications of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicles Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 for vintage vehicles. On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome from the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club Ms Bernadette Wyer, president; Mr. Peadar Ward, director; and Mr. Michael Duff, honorary secretary; and from the Vintage Veteran Trucks Association Mr. Alan Doyle and Mr. Billy Kiely.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.