John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Higgins and the other witnesses. The points they have made today will not go unnoticed.

I welcome the delegates from the Small Firms Association: Mr. A. J. Noonan, chairman; Ms Patricia Callan, director; and Ms Avine McNally, assistant director. They are present to discuss access to finance for SMEs.
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. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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 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 invite Mr. A. J. Noonan to make his presentation.