John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of this morning's meeting is to engage with An Garda Síochána on the difficulties encountered in obtaining convictions arising out of summonses based on evidence obtained by the GoSafe speed detection vehicles. The matter was highlighted recently in Kilrush District Court. On behalf of the committee I welcome assistant commissioner, Mr. John Twomey, as well as chief superintendent, Mr. Michael O'Sullivan, and superintendent, Mr. Cornelius O'Donoghue, of the Garda national traffic bureau.
I wish to draw your attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. The opening statements you have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website after the meeting.
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.
I call on the assistant commissioner, Mr. John Twomey, to make his opening remarks.