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

In our discussion on investment commitments to the SME sector, Mr. Eugene O'Callaghan, director of the National Pensions Reserve Fund, NPRF, will discuss how SMEs can access other money as opposed to the usual banking finance. This is part of the ongoing discussion on SME financing. I welcome Mr. Eugene O'Callaghan, investment director, Mr. Nick Ashmore, deputy investment director and Ms Emma Jane Joyce, senior investment manager from the National Pensions Reserve Fund to discuss investment commitments to the SME sector in Ireland.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 a person or an 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 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 ask Mr. O'Callaghan to make his presentation to the committee.