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

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the Travelling in a Woman's Shoes report. On behalf of the committee, I welcome representatives from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, Ms Rachel Cahill, head of the chief executive office, and Ms Eimear Fox, TII landscape architect. I welcome representatives from Technological University Dublin, Dr. Maria Chiara Leva of the environmental health and sustainability institute, and Dr. Sarah Rock of the school of transport engineering, environment and planning. They are all most welcome. This is a very important report and we are delighted to be able to facilitate public discourse on it.

I will read a note on privilege. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 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 outside the Leinster House complex, 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 the 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 of the Oireachtas 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 members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members partaking via MS Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. If attending in the committee room, all are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I call Ms Cahill to make her opening statement.