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

We will now deal with the pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the Irish Aviation Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017, which aims to amend the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1997, to extend the existing powers of the IAA with regard to its safety and regulatory functions and to recoup costs through fees and charges for its aviation security regulation functions. It also provides for the recognition of the IAA's role in compliance monitoring under Annex 17 of the Chicago convention which deals with security of civil aviation. In this regard I welcome Mr. Ronan Gallagher, principal officer, and Ms Andrea Lennon, assistant principal officer, from the aviation safety and security division of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Mr. James Gavin from the Irish Aviation Authority.

Before we commence I am required 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 their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person 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, her or it identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Gallagher to make his opening statement.