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

3 o’clock

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the provision of bus services in the Dublin area. We are joined by representatives from the National Transport Authority, NTA, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland. I welcome them and thank them for agreeing to appear before the committee. This as an important session. It involves significant public information. It affects not just Dublin, but is nationwide. We are on a trajectory of a roll-out of public transport, particularly in the areas of buses. We look forward to constructive engagement where we get to the root of the issues causing delays at the moment and look at solutions being put forward to remedy those issues quickly. It is that simple. If we want to encourage people to use public transport - buses fall under that - they must have a service they can rely on for work, social activities, appointments and so on. I am pleased to welcome on behalf of the committee, from the NTA, Ms Anne Graham, CEO and Mr. Tim Gaston, director of public transport services; from Dublin Bus, Ms Andrea Keane, acting chief executive and company secretary, and Mr. Ciarán Rogan, chief customer officer; and from Go-Ahead Ireland, Mr. Andrew Edwards, managing director, and Mr. James Caffrey, finance director. You are all welcome.

With regard to privilege, 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 any identified person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

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. Reluctantly, I will not permit a member to participate if 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 any members participating via MS Teams to confirm that they are on the grounds of Leinster House campus prior to making a contribution.

If attending in the committee room, members are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. I also welcome the many visitors in the Public Gallery.

I invite the witnesses to make their opening statements. Ms Graham, on behalf of the NTA, is first.