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

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the rising cost of fuel. The meeting is taking place over two sessions and this is the second session. I thank the witnesses for their patience and forbearance. It is great to see such a large turnout and it shows how important the issue is. On behalf of the committee, I welcome, from the Irish Road Haulage Association: Mr. Eugene Drennan, president; Mr. Paul Jackman, vice president; Mr. Brendan Ryan, management; and Ms Paula Monagle; from the Freight Transport Association of Ireland: Mr. Aidan Flynn, CEO; from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: Mr. Joe Kenny, CEO; and Ms Katie Wheeler, events and marketing officer; and from the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland: Mr. William Martin, Martin's Coaches, Limerick; Mr. J.J. Kavanagh, Kavanagh's, Kilkenny; and Mr. Brendan Crowley, Wexford Bus.

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 note that Deputy Verona Murphy is substituting for Deputy Lowry, who is a member of our committee. The format is that members speak first in the rota and then the substitutes for members, and other non-members are then facilitated to speak. I know it is a tall ask but I ask the witnesses to confine the summary of their statements to five minutes because I am conscious we have quite a number of witnesses and we want to have time for discussion. We will continue until roughly 4.45 p.m. as I will push it out from 4.30 p.m., so we have that bit of extra time.

I call Mr. Drennan to make his opening statement on behalf of the Irish Road Haulage Association.