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

Before we start, I want to wish you all a very happy St. Valentine's Day. The clerk wrote that down; it was not me.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss traffic management and congestion in the Galway region. In that regard, I welcome to the meeting Ms Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority, NTA; Mr. Hugh Creegan, deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority; Mr. Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive, Galway City Council; Mr. Uinsinn Finn, Senior Engineer, Galway City Council; Mr. Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive, Galway County Council; Mr. Tony Neary, Vice President and General Manager, Medtronic, Galway; Mr. Brian Coll, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Technology Sligo; Mr. Jim Cullen, Director of Services, Infrastructure and Operations, Galway County Council; and Mr. Michael Timmins, Director of Service, Planning & Environment, Galway County Council.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones as they may interfere with our recording equipment.

Tá fáilte roimh go léir anseo. Before we commence, in accordance with procedure, I am required to read a note on privilege. 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 the committee 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 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 Ms Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer, NTA, to make an opening statement. She will be followed by Mr. Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive, Galway City Council, Mr. Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive, Galway County Council, Mr. Brian Coll, Institute of Technology Sligo and Mr. Tony Neary, Vice President and General Manager, Medtronic, Galway. Following those contributions I will call the members.