John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin our meeting on the credit union fund accounts 2013, the credit resolution institution fund accounts 2013 and the Credit Union Restructuring Board accounts 2013, I remind members, witnesses and people in the Visitors Gallery to turn off mobile telephones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they will be 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 or make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 163 that a committee should also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Mr. John Doyle, CEO of the Credit Union Restructuring Board, ReBo, and ask him to introduce his officials.