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

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the ongoing all-island strategic rail review with a view to making a submission on behalf of the committee to the Department. On behalf of the committee I welcome the representative of the Western Rail Trail, Mr. John Mulligan; from West on Track, Mr. Colmán Ó Raghallaigh - I hope I pronounced his name correctly - and Mr. Peter Feeney, who is well known to us all; representing the Atlantic Economic Corridor Business Forum, Mr. Mike Devane; from the North Tipperary Community Rail Partnership: Mr. Graham Lightfoot and Mr. Edward Kelly - Mr. Hassard Stacpoole has been delayed but he will join us at 12 noon; and Mr. Richard Logue, managing director of RL Consultancy Limited.

All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against a 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 their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should be mindful of 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I would ask any member partaking via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting, that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members and all those in attendance in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I call Mr. Mulligan to make his opening statement.