Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

Good morning all. The purpose of today's meeting is for the joint committee to discuss national roads, light rail and metro with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Roads Authority. Today, on behalf of the committee, I am pleased to welcome from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Mr. Lorcan O'Connor, chief executive, Ms Geraldine Fitzpatrick, head of roads and greenways capital programme, Dr. Sean Sweeney, MetroLink programme director, and Mr. Paolo Carbone, head of public transport capital projects within TII. From the National Transport Authority, I welcome Mr. Hugh Creegan, interim chief executive, and Mr. Eoin Gillard, assistant director of transport investment. I will repeat the note on privilege.

Witnesses are 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 that 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 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 any 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 they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where 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 members partaking via MS Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I now invite Mr. O'Connor to make his opening statement on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland.