Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Environmental Impact of Fiscal Instruments: Discussion (Resumed)

4:00 pm

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to turn their mobile telephones off, as they interfere with recording and transmission. I welcome Ms Verona Murphy, president, and Mr. Tony Goodwin, general secretary, Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA. I thank them for making themselves available to the committee. I particularly acknowledge their facilitation of us in respect of the change of date, which we appreciate.

On 8 May, the committee met with Professor Edgar Morgenroth to consider some research carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, on the environmental impact of taxes in Ireland, including examining the gap between excise duties on petrol and diesel. We will the views of our the IRHA on the equalisation of petrol and diesel excise rates.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 so do, 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, 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

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