Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Ms Deirdre Hanlon and Ms Laura Behan from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Mr. Kevin Brady and Mr. James Rowan from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Mr. Paul Hogan and Ms Laura Courtney from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; and Mr. Gerry Kenny and Mr. Niall O'Sullivan from the Department of Finance.

I advise our guests that, 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 do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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, 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 ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We will start with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and I invite Ms Hanlon to give her opening statement.