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

We are now in public session for pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the road traffic Bill 2015. The purpose of this afternoon's meeting is to engage with officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and with representatives of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety as part of the committee's pre-legislative scrutiny of the heads of the Bill.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Fintan Towey, Ms Nicola Hayes, Mr. Paddy Campbell, Mr. Paul Hannon and Mr. Oisín Timoney of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I also welcome Professor Denis Cusack, Ms Helen Kearns and Dr. Richard Maguire of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.

By virtue of section 17(2)(i) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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. Any submissions or opening statements witnesses have provided 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 or persons 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. Fintan Towey to make his opening statement, which will set out the key elements of the Bill.