Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now embark on pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the road traffic Bill 2015. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with representatives of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann as part of this committee's pre-legislative scrutiny of the heads of the road traffic Bill 2015. On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Paddy Doherty, CEO and Mr. Phil Donohue, head of human resources and development with Dublin Bus. We also welcome Mr. Martin Nolan, CEO and Mr. Joe Kenny, chief human resources manager with Bus Éireann, who will make a joint presentation. Could I remind members that Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann representatives are here to discuss the heads of the road traffic Bill, not industrial relations issues at the companies which are at a sensitive stage at the moment?

I wish to draw your 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 this committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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. I also wish to advise you that any submission or opening statements you have made to the committee will be published on the committee website after this 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. I now call Mr. Joe Kenny to make his opening statement.