Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Craughwell. Unfortunately, a vote has been called in the Seanad and I will be asking another member to take the Chair in a moment. I welcome all present to the meeting. I will be back as quickly as I can. The purpose of the meeting is to meet with SIPTU representatives to discuss a recent survey conducted by SIPTU regarding anti-social behaviour on public transport. I am very pleased to welcome the witnesses from SIPTU: Mr. Adrian Kane, transport, energy, aviation and construction divisional organiser; Mr. John Doyle, Transdev Luas driver representative; Mr. John Murphy, transport sector organiser; Mr. Stephen Millane, Dublin Bus representative and SIPTU NEC member; Ms Suzanne Armstrong, Dublin Bus driver representative; and Mr. Tommy Wynne, Irish Rail driver representative and CIÉ worker director.

I will read a quick note on privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that you should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or 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 your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, you will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that you comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on or 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. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings and I will not be able to permit any member to participate where they are not adhering to this requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside of the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via MS Teams to confirm, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Before I invite Mr. Kane to make his opening statement, I seek the agreement of the meeting to allow Deputy Smith to take over the chairing of the meeting while I vote. I call on Mr. Kane.