Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Working Hours of Pilots and Pilot Welfare: Irish Air Line Pilots Association

1:30 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and attendees in the public Gallery to please turn off their mobile telephones. We will now continue our engagement on the issue of working hours of pilots and implications for their welfare.

I welcome Captain Evan Cullen, president, Irish Air Line Pilots Association, IALPA. He is accompanied by Captain Ted Murphy, Captain Alan Brereton and Captain Neil Johnston.

The committee has been advised there are several ongoing defamation proceedings brought by a third party against IALPA and its representatives. In accordance with Standing Orders 59, debate on matters sub judice, and 61, privilege and utterances in the nature of being defamatory, I request that members and witnesses avoid, if at all possible, comment which might in effect prejudice the outcomes of such proceedings.

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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a 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 Captain Cullen to make his opening statement.

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