Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We resume in public session with No. 7 on the agenda, matters relating to mortgage arrears and resolution processes. I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery that mobile phones must be switched off to avoid interference with the broadcasting of the meeting. I welcome the representatives of Allied Irish Banks. We are joined by Mr. David Duffy, chief executive officer, Mr. Bernard Byrne, director of personal business and corporate banking, Mr. Fergus Murphy, director of products and capital markets, and Mr. Brendan O'Connor, head of financial solutions group. The witnesses are here to assist the committee in its examination of mortgage arrears and detail their progress in putting in place solutions to resolve difficulties in the sector. I thank Mr. Duffy and his staff for the written material provided to the committee in advance of the meeting. Our discussion will begin with opening remarks by Mr. Duffy, followed by questions from members. It is important to manage time well and, to derive maximum benefit from the meeting, each member will be strictly time-limited for questions and replies. Questions from members and replies to them should be clear and concise.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, the witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.