Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The committee will hear a presentation by Mr. Alan Jackman on petition No. P00025/13, which is on strict secrecy provisions in the Central Bank Act 1942. I remind members, the witness and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones and Blackberries are switched off or left in safe or flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting system, even in silent mode.
I welcome Mr. Alan Jackman and thank him for forwarding to the committee a copy of his presentation which has been circulated to members. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, the witness is protected by absolute privilege in respect of his evidence to the committee. However, if he is directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continues to so do, he is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his evidence. He is directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
I invite Mr. Jackman to make his presentation.