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

The purpose of the second session of today's meeting is to continue our discussion on the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 with five more e-scooter companies. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Duncan Robertson, general manager, Ireland and the UK, Dott; Mr. Matthew Pencharz, head of public policy for the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, Voi; Ms Aisling Dunne, head of policy, Ireland, Bolt; Ms Jean Andrews, policy director, Ireland and the UK, Superpedestrian; and Ms Jessica Hall, head of Ireland operations, TIER Mobility. I thank them for their patience.

All 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. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

For witnesses attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful that domestic law could be applied 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 Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are also reminded of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement and any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members participating via Microsoft Teams, prior to making a contribution, to confirm they are on the Leinster House campus. If attending in the committee room, they are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I ask the witnesses to confine their contributions to approximately three minutes because we are time limited. I call on Mr. Robertson to make his opening statement.