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

In the first session of today's meeting we will consider the issue of rural taxis. In this regard, I welcome Mr. Myles O’Reilly, general secretary of the Taxi Dispatch Operators Representative Association, TDORA; Mr. Vinny Kearns, chief executive of Xpert Taxis Limited, Dublin; Mr. Der Calnan, managing director of Satellite Taxis, Cork; Mr. Eric O’Brien, chief executive of Rapid Cabs, Waterford; Mr. Gerard Macken of Taxi Alliance Ireland; and Mr. Jim Waldron of the National Private Hire Taxi Association.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or 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 members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either 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. Myles O'Reilly, general secretary of TDORA, to make his opening presentation.