Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I welcome, from the Department of Finance, Mr. Feargal Ó Brolcháin, principal officer, Mr. Pat McColgan, assistant principal officer, Mr. Cathal Sheridan, assistant principal officer in the international and EU division, Mr. Scott Rankin, deputy head of the shareholding management unit, and Mr. Antoine Mac Donncha, head of the legal unit. The format of the meeting will be that Mr. Ó Brolcháin will make some opening remarks, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. I wish to advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing rule of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.