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

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones.

I welcome the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, and his officials, Ms Eilis O'Connor and Mr. Dermot Murphy.

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 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 that effect, 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.

In November 2018, the Minister launched a key report, Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities. The committee and its Chairman invested a large amount of work into producing the report. Hearings were held with a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from several disability organisations, disability advocates, the National Disability Authority, various transport operators, the National Transport Authority and the Minister.

In its report, the joint committee made 16 key policy recommendations and requested the Minister update the committee as to the implementation status of each of these recommendations within six months and every six months thereafter. Today, we look forward to hearing from the Minister in the first update on progress made by his Department toward the full implementation of those recommendations.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.