Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The next item is public petition No. P00030/23 on creating a walking and cycling greenway on the closed railway from Sligo to Athenry, on which issue the committee has heard from, or will hear from, representatives of the Western Rail Trail, Mayo County Council and Iarnród Éireann. The next business is our engagement with representatives from Mayo County Council and Iarnród Éireann in respect of the petition.

I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses who are to give evidence from a location outside the parliamentary precincts are asked to note that they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness giving evidence from within the parliamentary precincts and may consider it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. Witnesses are again 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 that they comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose we publish their opening statements on the committee website. Is that agreed? Agreed. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to the witnesses, Mr. Barry Kenny, head of corporate communications, Iarnród Éireann; Mr. John McMyler, senior planner, Mayo County Council; and Mr. Kevin Kelly, chief executive, Mayo County Council. I also warmly welcome the petitioner, Mr. Brendan Quinn, and other campaigners from the Western Rail Trail who are in the Public Gallery.

I suggest that each witness make an opening statement of between five and ten minutes, after which we will have questions and comments from members. Each member will have ten minutes, which should allow them to come back in for a second round. I call Mr. Barry Kenny, head of corporate communications at Iarnród Éireann to make his opening statement.