Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to today's meeting to discuss the general scheme of the road traffic (fixed penalty - drink driving) Bill 2017. Last week we heard from the Minister, Deputy Ross, who introduced his Department's thinking on the proposed legislation. We have also had meetings on the Bill with the Road Safety Authority, which also wrote to the committee on the matter, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Road Victims Association from whom we heard the harrowing experiences of relatives who lost loved ones who were killed or maimed in accidents involving drink-drivers. The committee has further agreed to write to the groups again to seek any written observations they may wish to submit in light of the views expressed by the Minister and the views offered by the witnesses before the committee today.

I welcome to today's meeting Mr. Pat Crotty, president, and Mr. Padraig Cribben, chief executive officer of the Vintners Federation of Ireland; Mr. Donall O'Keeffe, chief executive officer, and Ms Deirdre Devitt, chair, of the Licensed Vintners Association. I thank the witnesses for their attendance. While we invited representatives of the Irish Hotels Federation here today, they were unable to attend.

I draw the attention of witnesses 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 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. I invite a representative of the Vintners Federation of Ireland to make his opening statement.