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

I thank Mr. Edwards. There is huge interest in this matter from the members and the public. There are up to 20 members who wish to contribute. I normally do not do it, but I will set out how the system works. The system agreed by the committee is that members present go first, then those substituting for members go next. Thereafter, for any other Member of either House seeking to contribute, we will go in the order in which they have corresponded with the committee to be included. I want to get everyone in. I ask that contributors do not repeat questions. I very rarely ask that, but this is an information session for the public. It is about the public who are using the bus services as much as anyone else. We have a duty to extract the information and find the solutions.

I have looked at the order and the time. I am proposing that members and substitute members have eight minutes to ask questions. People will be aware of the procedure. I will give speakers six minutes, then they will see the clock running down for two minutes which will give them time to finish their questioning. I ask contributors to be conscious that the witnesses have to answer within that timeframe. I hope to give all other speakers five minutes. That will only happen if contributors stick to the time allocation. I have asked the secretariat to allow us to run ten minutes over time, which will bring us up to 2.10 p.m. I am pushing it. People will be aware that I try to be liberal, but because there are so many members and because this issue is of significant public interest, I ask contributors to ask pinpoint questions. We need answers and solutions. I want to be fair. First on the rota of members present is Deputy O'Connor, who has eight minutes.