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

The committee is sitting in its capacity as a joint sub-committee on the ombudsman. I remind all those present, including members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery, that mobile phones and BlackBerry devices must be switched off or switched to flight or safe mode because they interfere with the broadcasting system, even when left in silent mode.
I welcome Mr. William Prasifka, the Financial Services Ombudsman, who will make a presentation on the role and remit of the ombudsman and the challenges facing his organisation. He is accompanied by Ms Jacqueline McCrum, Deputy Financial Services Ombudsman, Ms MaryRose McGovern, head of investigation, Mr. Diarmuid Byrne, head of administration and Mr. Tom Finn, head of legal services. I welcome our witnesses and thank them for forwarding the presentation which has been circulated to members. We are keen to hear from them.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they 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. Prasifka to make his presentation.