John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I apologise for the delay. We had some issues to clarify in our private meeting, which went over time. The purpose of this meeting is to engage with Bus Éireann in regard to the procurement process for the awarding of contracts under the school transport scheme. In the interest of transparency, I wish to put on record that I have previously tabled parliamentary questions relating to Bus Éireann, including matters relating to procurement. These questions are a matter of public record.

On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Martin Nolan, chief executive officer of Bus Éireann, who is accompanied by his colleagues, Ms Andrea Keane, chief financial officer and company secretary; Mr. Gerry Gannon, manager of schools transport; Mr. Joe Kenny, manager of human resources and regional manager for the east; Mr. Colm Costello, group chief solicitor; and Ms Margaret Hubbard, procurement and materials manager. At this point the committee will not discuss any allegations made against Bus Éireann related to the school transport scheme or any investigations undertaken by Bus Éireann into allegations made. The substance of the allegations falls outside the committee's remit and relates to matters more appropriately dealt with by the courts. There is litigation in train on the matters relating to those allegations and the committee is mindful of allowing that litigation to take its course without any interference.
I draw the attention of the witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also advise that the opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on its 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.
Before allowing Mr. Nolan to begin, I reiterate that we are not here to discuss any allegations made against Bus Éireann relating to the school transport scheme or the detail of any investigations undertaken. I ask Mr. Nolan to limit his presentation to ten minutes as members have received the full document already. Perhaps we could gain more from the meeting with the questions from members. We will not blow the whistle after exactly ten minutes.