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

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones completely as they may interfere with the recording equipment.

I welcome Mr. Peter Walsh, director of capital programmes, and Ms Geraldine Fitzpatrick, head of the roads capital programme, from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, Ms Joan Martin, chief executive of Louth County Council and Councillor Dolores Minogue, cathaoirleach of Ardee municipal council.

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 qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that evidence connected only 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Before I invite our guests from TII to make their opening statement, I will briefly summarise the position regarding the N52 Ardee bypass. It is a 4.5 km route. It is expected that it will cost in the region of €34 million. It is a very large project and it will have a major impact on taking traffic out of the town of Ardee, which is choked with traffic. I understand hundreds of lorries pass through the town daily so it is hugely important to everybody. Significant concern has been expressed as to the future of the project. In view of that, I undertook, as Chairman, to invite our guests to come before the committee today so that we can have absolute clarity on this road, which is of vital importance to the community of Ardee, County Louth, and in terms of the entire road network. I invite Mr. Walsh to make his opening statement.