Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now turn to a discussion of the upgrading of the N4 and N5 roads infrastructure. I am delighted to welcome the witnesses to today's meeting. The are Ms Lisa Brady, chief executive officer of Longford Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Ciaran Corcoran, Abbott Diagnostics and midlands chairman of IBEC, Councillor Seamus Butler, Butler Manufacturing Services and former president of Longford Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Brian McCann, lecturer in the Institute of Technology, Sligo and Mr. William Carty, Sligo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I hope I have all the names and titles correct. The joint chambers have brought a large number of their supporters and campaigners and they are with us today in the Public Gallery and in the seats to the rear of the committee room. I do not have all of the names. I welcome everybody and thank them for attending today's meeting.

I ask everybody to turn off their mobile phones because even when they are on silent mode they interfere with the broadcasting equipment and the quality of the broadcast. Before we commence and in accordance with procedure I am required to read the following. 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 Chair 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I also welcome the non-members of the committee who are from the general vicinity of the N4 and N5. I wish to ensure everyone will get a chance to speak. I now invite Councillor Seamus Butler to begin the opening presentation. I ask that the delegation's opening statement be limited to approximately ten minutes in total.