Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their telephones as they tend to interfere with the broadcasting equipment.

We now turn to the issue of road safety in Ireland. This is the second in a series of meetings to discuss the issue of road safety. Previously, we heard from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, and the Road Safety Authority. We are joined today by representatives of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Road Victims' Association. I am delighted to welcome Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn, who deals with roads policing, major events and emergency management in An Garda Síochána; Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, Garda national roads policing bureau; Superintendent Con O'Donohue, Garda national roads policing bureau; and Ms Donna Price, Mr. Leo Lieghio, Ms Gillian Treacy and Mr. John Wilson of the Irish Road Victims' Association. The topic of discussion is very sensitive. It is a tragic matter and I reiterate my comment at the start of the previous meeting that, as a committee, we express our sympathy to everybody in the room and everybody who might be watching the proceedings who has suffered a bereavement or other loss in respect of road safety on our roads. It is a very sad topic and, unfortunately, it has probably knocked on every door in the country, as it were, at this stage.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure I am required to give the following notice. 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 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 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.

I invite the assistant commissioner, Mr. Michael Finn, to make his opening statement.