Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those present in the Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off. I welcome, from the Department of Finance, Mr. John Hogan, assistant secretary in the banking division, Mr. Declan Reid, specialist in the shareholding management unit, Mr. Antoine Mac Donncha, legal adviser, and Mr. Brian Fee, assistant principal in the banking division. The format of the meeting is that Mr. Hogan will make an opening statement and a question and answer session will follow. I hope, following the input of the witnesses today, we will have covered all the key topics.
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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor 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 parliamentary practice 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. Hogan to make his opening statement.