Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses and those in the gallery to completely switch off their mobile phones, rather than putting them in silent mode, as they affect the broadcasting system. I welcome the witnesses from Allied Irish Banks. They are Mr. Ken Burke, head of business banking; Ms Margaret Brennan, head of sectors; and Dr. Anne Finnegan, head of the agriculture sector. From Bank of Ireland, we have Mr. Mark Cunningham, managing director, and Mr. Sean Farrell, head of agriculture. From Ulster Bank we have Mr. Eddie Cullen, managing director of the commercial banking division, and Ms Ailish Byrne, senior agricultural manager. From the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland we have Mr. Maurice Crowley, director of banking and payments. I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee today to update it on the financial issues affecting those operating within the dairy sector.

Before beginning, I must go through the pronouncement on privilege. I bring the attention of witnesses to the fact that they 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 a 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 are 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are also reminded of privilege.

We will begin with the presentation from AIB.