Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Jim Brown, chief executive of Ulster Bank, who is accompanied by Mr. Stephen Bell, chief risk officer, and Ms Ellvena Graham, head of business banking. Mr. Brown will make an opening statement. Questions from members were collated in advance of the meeting and these were submitted to Ulster Bank. I thank Mr. Brown and his staff for responding in writing to these questions. The responses were received yesterday and have been distributed to members. Together with the input of the witnesses today, it is hoped that all the key topics will have been covered. None the less, a question and answer session will follow to clarify any matters.
I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. I advise the witnesses that, by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.