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

We move on now to the purposes of this meeting, which is BusConnects and MetroLink. The purpose of today’s meeting is to continue our committee’s consideration of BusConnects and MetroLink. From the NTA I welcome Ms Anne Graham, chief executive officer, and Mr. Hugh Creegan, deputy chief executive officer. They are both very welcome.

Before we commence, and for the purpose of the witnesses attending, in accordance with procedure, 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 the evidence they are to give 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 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.