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

I remind witnesses, members and those in the Public Gallery to make sure their mobile phones are turned off completely as they interfere with the recording and broadcasting technology.

We are here to discuss the fodder difficulties and the drought situation in the country from the farming point of view. I welcome from Bank of Ireland, Mr. Seán Farrell, head of agricultural business banking, and Mr. Pierce Butler, head of sectors; from Allied Irish Bank, Mr. Tadhg Buckley, head of agriculture, and Ms Margaret Brennan, head of small and medium enterprise, SME, sector strategy; from Ulster Bank, Dr. Ailish Byrne, head of agriculture, and Mr. Eddie Cullen, managing director of the commercial banking division; and from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, Mr. Nick Ashmore, the chief executive. I thank them for appearing before the committee today to update it on what additional steps are being taken by the banks to assist the farmers who are impacted by the fodder and drought difficulties.

Before we begin I remind everyone of the rules in respect of privilege. Witnesses 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. I am aware that the witnesses were in the Public Gallery for the first part of the meeting and am sure they are aware of the procedure.

I invite Mr. Butler from the Bank of Ireland to make his opening statement.