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

We will now meet the Freight Transport Association to hear its views on the United Kingdom's HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 and other issues of concern to the association. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Aidan Flynn, Mr. Mick O'Dwyer and Mr. Neil McDonnell of the Freight Transport Association.
I wish to draw the witnesses' 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 the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I advise witnesses that the opening statements they have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's 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.