Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will resume our consultation of the draft scheme of the credit union Bill 2012 with credit unions representative bodies. I welcome Mr. Joe Mulvey from the National Supervisors Forum, Mr. Kevin Johnson who is chief executive officer of the Credit Union Development Association, Ms Selina Gilleece from the Credit Union Managers Association and Mr. Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill who is chairman of the Credit Union Advisory Committee.

We will move swiftly to engagement of members with witnesses on the basis of their submissions to the joint committee, for which I thank them. I can assure the witnesses that members have seen the submissions and are aware of their contents.

I remind members and witnesses that this meeting is being broadcast by UPC on its channel 801 and that all mobile phones should be switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with that broadcast, making it difficult for people watching to hear what is being said.

I wish to advise the witnesses 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 this committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings 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 person, persons or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members similarly are advised and reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair 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.

The joint committee will hear first from Mr. Joe Mulvey of the National Supervisors Forum on the four main categories of the draft scheme of concern to it as set out in the forum's submission. The first issue of concern is head 17, prudential requirements and the term "oversight committee". Am I correct that the forum believes the oversight committee should be called the "oversight board" to signify its particular importance?