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

We will now engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to discuss three matters. We will deal with them in the order listed: unopened motorway service stops, the reduction in the budget for maintaining national roads and tolling issues on the M1. I welcome Mr. Michael Nolan, chief executive, Mr. Peter Walsh, director of capital programmes, Mr. Nigel O'Neill, director of commercial operations, and Mr. Pat Maher, director of network operations.

In accordance with procedure and for the benefit of the officials in attendance, I am required to read the following declaration. 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 do so, 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, 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 Mr. Nolan to make his opening statement.