Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have just heard the views of the Minister for Finance on the Bill. We will now hear from members of the Fair Mortgage Rates Campaign, who have been campaigning on this issue. I welcome to our meeting Mr. Brendan Burgess, Mr. Stefan Goor and Mr. Conor McNally from the Fair Mortgage Rates Campaign. I thank them for attending and I apologise as we got a little delayed earlier with the Minister.

I advise witnesses of the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, 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 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.

Deputy Michael McGrath must leave by 12.45 p.m. because of votes in the Dáil. I ask all members to be aware that neither he nor any other Deputy can be here after 12.45 p.m. I hope we will be able to conclude before then.