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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Cathal Crowe and Steven Matthews, and Senator Gerard Craughwell. The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the rising cost of fuel. This meeting will take place over two sessions. On behalf of the committee I welcome to this first session Mr. Tom McIlduff, chief executive officer; and Ms Anna Cullen, communications, AA Ireland. We also have a delegation from Fuels for Ireland, represented by Mr. Kevin McPartlan, chief executive officer. Representing the Irish Petrol Retailers Association, IPRA, and appearing remotely, I welcome Mr. David Blevings, spokesperson, and Ms Raylene McCaughey, manager of McCaughey's 24-hour service station in Monaghan. I hope I am pronouncing her name properly. There is also Mr. Martin McSorley, the director of Drive Service Stations, and Mr. Declan Cronin, director of Newpark Service Centre. We will be joined shortly by Mr. Alan O'Donnell, director of Woodview Service Station. They are all very welcome to this afternoon's meeting on the rising cost of fuels, which is a very important matter for business and the public. We are the committee responsible for transport and we thank the witnesses for engaging with us today.

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 with respect 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 ask any member partaking via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making his or her contribution, 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 welcome Mr. Tom Sheridan to our committee. Mr. McIllduff may now make his opening statement. I ask witnesses to be conscious of time and try to keep within the five minutes allowed. We have a number of witnesses and we want to get to the main subject of the day, which is asking questions.