Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I now call the committee back into public session; is that agreed? Agreed. We now proceed with our second hearing of today, that's the hearing with An Tánaiste, Joan Burton TD, and Mr. Pat Rabbitte TD. The Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis is now resuming in public session, and can I ask members and those in the public Gallery to ensure that their mobile devices are switched off? Our next witnesses today are An Tánaiste, Joan Burton TD, and Mr. Pat Rabbitte TD. You're both very welcome before the inquiry and the committee this afternoon.

Today the inquiry is focusing upon the role of the Oireachtas and the effectiveness of the Oireachtas oversight of the Government in the build-up to the crisis and in responding to the crisis. In particular, our focus will be on three lines of inquiry: the effectiveness of the Oireachtas in scrutinising public policy on the banking sector and the economy, analysis of the key drivers for budget policy and the appropriateness of the relationships between Government, the Oireachtas, the banking sector and the property sector.

The Tánaiste and Deputy Rabbitte TD are, therefore, appearing before the inquiry today in the context of their respective roles as the Labour Party's spokesperson in finance while in opposition and as the leader of the Labour Party while in opposition.

In normal circumstances - excuse me - when a witness appears before here, they don't have privilege and privilege is extended to them by virtue of this committee's powers. In this regard, as both Members are current Members of the House, there is no requirement for me to extend privilege to the witnesses in that regard. However, I would state that the witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subjects of these matters to these proceedings is to be given.

I would remind members and those present that there are currently criminal proceedings ongoing and further criminal proceedings are scheduled during the lifetime of the inquiry which overlap with the subject matter of the inquiry. Therefore, the utmost caution should be taken not to prejudice those proceedings. Members of the public are reminded that photography is prohibited in the committee room. To assist the smooth running of the inquiry, we will display certain documents on the screens here in the committee room. For those sitting in the Gallery, these documents will be displayed on the screens to your left and right, and members of the public and journalists are reminded that these documents are confidential and they should not publish any of the documents so displayed.

The witness has, or the witnesses have been directed to attend the meeting of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis. You have been furnished with booklets of core documents. These are before the committee, will be relied upon in questioning and form part of the evidence of the inquiry. And now can I ask the clerk to administer the oath to both witnesses, please?