Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will now resume in public session to discuss the question of what it takes to sustain viable rural communities with representatives from Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority, NTA. Míle buíochas as teacht isteach inniú. Tá fáilte mór romhaibh. I welcome Mr. Ray Hernan, acting chief executive officer and Mr. Stephen Kent, chief commercial officer of Bus Éireann. I also welcome Mr. Jim Meade, director of railway undertakings and Mr. Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager, representing Iarnród Éireann. Finally, from the NTA I welcome Ms Anne Graham, chief executive and Mr. Tim Gaston, director of public transport services.

I wish to draw 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are 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 or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise the witnesses that their opening statements and other documents submitted to the committee may 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 outside these Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Our discussions on what makes a rural community viable are drawing to a conclusion. If rural communities are to remain viable, it is obviously important that they remain connected. Public transport is a great leveller in our society. It is accessible to people from all backgrounds, whether rich or poor, rural or urban, young or old. It is essential that people have access to public transport in order to be able to avail of a whole range of services, not least health services. We also know that one of the key ingredients for the development of enterprise is transport in the context of access to markets and to skilled individuals. I now invite the representatives of Bus Éireann to address the committee on this topic.