Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, Mr. Ray Coyne, CEO of Dublin Bus, Mr. Martin Nolan, CEO of Bus Éireann, and Mr. David Franks, CEO of Irish Rail. I thank them all for attending today to discuss issues relating to Ireland's public transport system. The opening statements from the four witnesses have been circulated.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 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.

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.

Presentations should not be more than five minutes in duration. The submissions have been circulated among members. I invite each delegate to make an opening statement, starting with Ms Graham from the National Transport Authority, NTA, who can give us an overall picture. When the four opening statements have been made, I will call on the members to ask questions in the order agreed.