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

Deputy Higgins will be substituting for Deputy Carey and Senator Seery Kearney will substitute for Senator Buttimer. The purpose of today's meeting is for the joint committee to resume our discussion of the provision of bus services in Dublin. We are joined once again by representatives from the National Transport Authority, NTA, Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland. I do not know which is worse and whether we are competing more with the vote of confidence in the Dáil Chamber or the World Cup match between Argentina and Croatia. We are all clashing at the same time. We would hope to be the main event, certainly with the witnesses.

From the NTA I welcome Ms Anne Graham, CEO, and Mr. Tim Gaston, director of public transport. From Dublin Bus I welcome Mr. Billy Hann, who was appointed chief executive on 1 December. I congratulate him on his appointment. He is joined by Ms Andrea Keane, acting chief executive, chief financing officer and company secretary, and Mr. Ciarán Rogan, chief customer officer. From Go-Ahead Ireland I welcome Mr. Andrew Edwards, managing director, and Mr. James Caffrey, finance director. All the witnesses are very welcome. I thank them for coming in. We put them on notice that we would be coming back to this issue before Christmas. Nevertheless, 7 o'clock in the evening is the only time slot we could get. It is awful both for the witnesses and members but that is just the way it is.

I will read a note on 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 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 was jocose initially, but this is a very important issue for the people of greater Dublin. We will address issues with regard to national bus services with the National Transport Authority, NTA. However, we are here tonight because it is an issue for people in their daily lives and, more particularly, during the Christmas period. We hope it will shed light on improvements made since the witnesses were here on 8 November. We are public representatives. We get this issue on a daily basis. Even though I am a Deputy in Limerick, I still get representations on this issue. I call on Ms Graham to make her opening statement on behalf of the NTA.