Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The main purpose of the meeting is to engage in pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the railway safety (amendment) Bill 2018. I welcome Ms Maev Nic Lochlainn, principal officer; Ms Ann Cody, assistant principal officer; and Mr. John Dunican, administrative officer, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. 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 any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I remind members 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 invite Ms Nic Lochlainn to make her opening statement.