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

We will now deal with pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the road traffic Bill 2015. The purpose of this part of this morning's meeting is to engage with representatives of AA Ireland as part of the committee's pre-legislative scrutiny of the heads of the road traffic Bill. We will also hear from Ms Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the Road Safety Authority, RSA; Mr. Declan Naughton, director of driving licensing and testing with the RSA; and Ms Miriam Scott of the RSA. Both presentations will be held in this session, but obviously the two organisations have separate remits and will give separate presentations.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 any person(s) or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise the witnesses that any submission or opening statements they make 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 any person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now call on Mr. Conor Faughnan to make his opening remarks.