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

We will now deal with the examination of the Behaviour and Culture of the Irish Retail Banks report and our quarterly engagement with the Governor of the Central Bank, Professor Lane. I welcome him and his colleagues to the meeting. We will first deal with the culture report on the banks and I understand Professor Lane has an opening statement in this regard. We may then break for ten minutes and deal with the other general issues. That will be the format of the meeting.

I advise the witnesses 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 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 invite Professor Lane to make his opening statement.