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

I welcome Mr. Padraic Kissane, financial adviser, Mr. Thomas Ryan, Ms Helen Grogan, Ms Hazel Melbourne and Ms Niamh Byrne. The arrangement for this meeting is that Mr. Kissane will make an opening statement. After that, there will be a question and answer session and the various witnesses can make their contribution.

Before I ask Mr. Kissane to make his opening statement, I remind witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 members 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 them identifiable.

I call on Mr Kissane to make his opening statement.