Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Fred Barry, CEO of the National Roads Authority, NRA, to discuss the development of road links along the Border region. Mr. Barry is accompanied by Mr. Michael Nolan, head of regional and programme management with the NRA. We look forward to exploring how infrastructure development can be progressed to the benefit of citizens and the economy both North and South of the Border.

Before I call Mr. Barry to make his presentation, I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at this committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease making remarks on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. They are directed that only cognisant evidence on the subject matter of this meeting is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We look forward to a good morning's work. In addition to members of the committee, we have been joined by a number of Members from counties Leitrim and Sligo with an interest in connectivity. While we appreciate that Mr. Barry's remit is in the southern jurisdiction, we are looking at the long-term vision and the potential for connectivity. I do not doubt that members will have many questions and observations to make.