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

The purpose of the meeting is to engage with Mr. John Fitzgerald, chairperson designate of the National Transport Authority, to discuss the approach he proposes to take when reappointed to the role and his views on the challenges facing the authority.

At this stage, members are well aware of the Government decision of May 2011 which put new arrangements in place for the appointment of persons to State boards and bodies. The committee welcomes the opportunity to meet with the chairperson designate in public session to hear his views and we trust that this provides greater transparency to the process of appointment to our State boards and bodies.
On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Fitzgerald. I wish to draw his 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 he is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and he continues to do so, he is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. He is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and he is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible, he should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also advise him that any submission or opening statements he has provided to the committee will be published on the committee 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.