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

I ask everyone with a mobile phone to ensure it is switched off or put in airplane mode. If anyone has a hearing aid, it should be switched to "T" and should then work. I apologise if it does not. We will try to get it right.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities. It is the first of a series of hearings the committee will convene. In addition to meeting with transport users, we will meet with transport operators and other responsible bodies with a view to reporting to the Minister as early as possible in the new year. I welcome my colleagues and our invitees to the meeting. I will name the witnesses in the order in which they will be called during the meeting so that everyone will know where he or she is. The first speaker will be Senator John Dolan, CEO of the National Disability Federation, followed, respectively, by Mr. Eddie Redmond, CEO of the Irish Deaf Society, Ms Joan Carthy, head of advocacy at the Irish Wheelchair Association, Mr. Chris White, CEO of the National Council for the Blind, Sarah Lennon and Sandra McCullagh of Inclusion Ireland, and Dr. Margaret Kennedy, a disability activist. They are all very welcome.

I am obliged to say the following on the procedure for all of our meetings. 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 it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 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 have to say that. It is standard procedure. I invite Senator Dolan to make his opening statement.