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

The next topic is a discussion with Mr. Aidan Gough, director of strategy and policy at InterTradeIreland, and Dr. Eoin Magennis, policy research manager at InterTradeIreland, on the report entitled Access to Finance for Growth for SMEs on the Island of Ireland. I welcome Mr. Gough and Dr. Magennis to the meeting. It is timely for the witnesses to be appearing before the committee because the committee is beginning its discussion of SME credit and lending and will probably focus on these issues over the next couple of months. We are delighted to hear from the witnesses today.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded 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. I now ask Mr. Gough to make his presentation to the committee.