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

This meeting is an engagement with the chairpersons designate of three of the country's largest public transport providers. I welcome Mr. Frank Allen, chairperson designate of Irish Rail, Mr. Ultan Courtney, chairperson designate of Dublin Bus and Mr. Aidan Murphy, chairperson designate of Bus Éireann. They are all very welcome.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

If the members of the committee are agreeable, we will take all three presentations together and follow them with questions to the chairpersons designate. I propose to take the presentations in the following order: Mr. Frank Allen, Mr. Ultan Courtney and Mr. Aidan Murphy. I call Mr. Frank Allen, chairperson designate of Iarnród Éireann, to make his opening statement.