Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Moyagh Murdock, chief executive officer, and Ms Velma Burns, research manager, of the Road Safety Authority, RSA. This is the latest in a number of meetings we have had on this particular matter. In accordance with procedure, I wish to advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 or an 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 now invite Ms Murdock to make her opening statement.