Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are joined by representatives from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to further discuss the impact of Covid-19 on public transport provision. I welcome Mr. Kenneth Spratt, acting Secretary General of the Department; Ms Deirdre O’Keeffe, assistant secretary; Ms Deirdre Hanlon, assistant secretary; Mr. Fintan Towey, assistant secretary; and Ms Maria Melia, principal officer.

I advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they 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 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.

I ask Mr. Spratt to introduce his delegation and outline the Department's submission to the committee, which has been circulated in advance. I apologise that very few members of the committee have been able to make it today, as votes are anticipated in the Dáil. In normal circumstances, committees would sit in the room where the witnesses are and the Dáil would sit in this Chamber, and if and when a vote was called, the committee would rise temporarily to enable people to make their way to the Dáil Chamber. That is obviously not possible when the Dáil is sitting in a different location, and everybody is down at the Convention Centre as I believe votes are anticipated.