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

We now turn to the purpose of today's meeting, namely, consideration of the issue of traffic congestion in the greater Dublin area and other related matters, including persistent irregular congestion in Dublin. Last Thursday, there was a meeting of the committee chairmen with the Taoiseach. I made sure I would have at least an hour to spare before the meeting began and I spent that hour sitting at the 3Arena due to traffic congestion. There was an accident there and the whole city was held up for at least an hour and half, I reckon. Nothing was moving from the Port Tunnel and the traffic was backed up as far as the airport, I believe. Such congestion is happening everywhere. The M1 and the M50 are regular examples of same. We will also discuss issues surrounding the Luas and the proposed College Green plaza. Last February, the committee met a range of representatives from Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus, Transdev, AA Ireland, the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation and the Taxi Alliance of Ireland regarding traffic congestion in the College Green area. Before we commence, I also wish to take this opportunity - I actually did so earlier - to thank the representatives of the schools who met us last week. While I am conscious that the public consultation on MetroLink will take some time, we will discuss it again.

I welcome our witnesses. The order in which I have them listed is Mr. Michael Nolan, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and Mr. Hugh Creegan, deputy CEO of the National Transport Authority. They have other staff members with them. If they wish to make any comment at any stage, they should feel free to do so.

Before we commence, I am required to read the following. 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 the committee 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. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Michael Nolan, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to make his opening statement.