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

We will move now to our second session today. We will discuss the current position regarding the upgrade of the Dunkettle interchange in Cork. I welcome Mr. Michael Nolan, chief executive, Mr. Peter Walsh, Ms Geraldine Fitzpatrick and Mr. Paul Moran from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII

Before we continue, in accordance with procedure I am required to read the following note. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of you evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you 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.

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