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

I welcome from the Irish League of Credit Unions Mr. David Matthews, business unit manager, and Mr. Kieron Brennan, CEO. From the Credit Union Development Association I welcome Mr. Kevin Johnson, CEO, and Ms Elaine Larke, head of legal affairs and compliance. From the Credit Union Managers Association I welcome Mr. Sean Murray, training director and CEO of Naas Credit Union, and Mr. Gerard McConville, CEO of Dundrum Credit Union. The delegates are present to discuss the issue of 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 committee. However, if they are 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 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 thank the delegates for facilitating us in changing the date of the meeting. There is a clash between this meeting and the taking of questions to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the floor of the Dáil. The spokespersons of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are tied up in the Dáil, but they might pop in if they get a chance. They have sent their apologies.
This is part of a discussion we have been having on SMEs in the past couple of months and we are to finish our report in July. All members will be reviewing what is discussed today. They might miss the presentations, but they will certainly be able to read the transcripts. They might contact the delegates with questions afterwards, if that is acceptable.
We will begin with the presentation of Mr. Matthews who is to be followed by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Murray.