Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the second part of our meeting is to discuss and examine the procedure and appointment process for the chair of the Irish Aviation Authority. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Department of Transport, Mr. Fintan Towey, assistant secretary, and Mr. Ronan Gallagher, principal officer.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity.

Therefore, if the statement of a witness is potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction. Witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus should note there is some limitation on parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses physically present. Witnesses participating in this meeting from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence they give.

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 wish to remind members joining the meeting remotely that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House campus. In this regard, I call on all members who are participating remotely to confirm prior to making their contributions to the meeting that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call on Mr. Towey to make an opening statement. He has approximately five minutes.