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

In this session with Minister Noonan, we will focus on the Government's responses to the crisis since taking office. In particular, we will examine what key decisions were made with regard to ongoing management of the bailout; what was the impact of implementing the measures agreed; is macroeconomic policy now being managed in a fiscally responsible manner in line with EU treaties and other obligations; with regard to the regulatory and structural reforms implemented post-crisis, how effectively have these been implemented, operated and managed; and what else remains to be done.

Before hearing from our witness this afternoon, I don't need to bestow privilege on Minister Noonan; as a Member of the House, he has that already as a right. But I would advise the witness that you are directed to only give evidence in connected with the subject matter of these proceedings and if directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter, not to do so.

I would also 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 should not publish any of the documents so displayed.

The witness has been directed to attend this meeting of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis and 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. So with that said, if I can now ask the clerk to administer the oath to Minister Noonan please.