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

The purpose of this part of the meeting is to engage with representatives from An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority, RSA, regarding recent media reports suggesting low conviction rates for drink driving offences. On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Deputy Garda Commissioner, Mr. John Twomey, Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Superintendent Con O'Donoghue of the traffic bureau and Chief Superintendent Fergus Healy of the crime policy and administration unit. I also welcome Ms Moyagh Murdock, chief executive officer, Mr. Declan Naughton and Ms Denise Barry from the Road Safety Authority.

I wish to draw our guests' 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 witnesses are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 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 submission or opening statements witnesses have made 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 or persons outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I ask Deputy Commissioner Twomey to make his opening statement.