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

Dá bhrí sin, is onóir mhór í dom agus is pléisiúr mór é don choiste fáilte faoi leith a chur roimh an gCoimisinéir go dtí an comhchoiste seo. It is a great honour and pleasure to welcome the European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, Ms Violeta Bulc. She is accompanied by Mr. Gerry Kiely, head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland; Mr. Joshua Salsby, member of the Commissioner's Cabinet; and Mr. Pierpaolo Settembri, assistant at the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport. Ms Bulc has served in her role since 2014, having previously served as a Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Slovenia.

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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by it 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 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.

We understand the Commissioner is under significant scheduling pressure and are grateful for the time she is spending with us. I invite her to make her opening statement.