Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for the long delay. The purpose of the second session is to discuss the issue of traffic management, congestion and public safety at College Green, Dublin. The initiative has attracted much public comment since the commencement of Luas services in this area of the capital city and there has been much commentary on the issues of traffic management, congestion, public safety, overcrowding on the Luas and plans for a pedestrianised plaza on College Green.

I welcome Deputy Noel Rock who is a new member of the committee. I also welcome our guests: Mr. Owen Keegan, chief executive officer, Dublin City Council; Mr. Brendan O'Brien, head of technical services; Mr Ray Coyne, chief executive officer, Dublin Bus; Mr. Peter Lunden-Welden, managing director, Transdev; Mr. Conor Faughnan, director of consumer affairs, AA Ireland; Mr. Barry Aldworth, AA Ireland; Mr. Joe Herron, president, Irish Taxi Federation; and Mr. Gerard Macken, chairman, Taxi Alliance of Ireland.

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 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 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 call on Mr. Faughnan to make his opening statement.