Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. John Trethowan, head credit reviewer, and Ms Catherine Collins, deputy head credit reviewer, from the Credit Review Office, and Mr. Pat Farrell, chief executive, and Mr. Felix O'Regan, director of public affairs, from the Irish Banking Federation. We appreciate their attendance here today.

Before we begin, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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. By virtue of section 17(2)(I) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Trethowan to commence his presentation, followed by Mr. Farrell. Members will then put their questions.