Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will resume the discussion on pre-legislative scrutiny on the general scheme of the sale of loan books to unregulated third parties Bill 2014 with FLAC and the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland. I welcome Ms Noeline Blackwell, director, and Mr. Paul Joyce, senior policy researcher, FLAC. I also welcome Ms Niamh Murphy, head of consumer banking and Mr. Maurice Crowley, retail director, of the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland which, in case anybody is confused, used to be the Irish Banking Federation.
The format of the meeting is that Mr. Joyce and Mr. Crowley will make opening remarks. I remind members, witnesses and those present in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off because they interfere with the broadcasting equipment.
I draw witnesses' attention to the fact 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 the committee. However, 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. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they 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 an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I invite Mr. Joyce to commence his opening statement.