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

Today's meeting is an engagement on Ulster Bank. We are joined remotely, first by representatives of the Financial Services Union and then by representatives of Ulster Bank itself. The opening statements are taken as read. They will be published on the committee's website. The witnesses will have an opportunity to make some short comments before we begin our questioning of both groups.

First, from the Financial Services Union, we have Mr. John O'Connell, general secretary, and Mr. Brian McDowell, head of communications and public affairs.

I wish to explain some of the limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses with regard to reference that witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected by absolute privilege, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute. If, however, they are giving evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings a witness physically present would. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are covered by privilege if they are in Leinster House, but if they are outside it, they do not enjoy the same privilege. I invite Mr. O'Connell to contribute and to note that because of time constraints we want to finish this session as close as we can to the half hour scheduled for it. Then we will move into the second part of the meeting, as per the notification received for the next part of the meeting.