Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Members participating in the meeting remotely are required to do so from within the precincts of the Leinster House complex only. I ask members and witnesses to please turn off their mobile phones or ensure they are on silent mode. I advise members of the committee who are participating in the meeting remotely to use the raise hand function on Microsoft Teams if they wish to contribute.

This is the committee's second session of detailed scrutiny of the Safe Deposits Boxes and Related Deposits Bill 2022. This Private Member's Bill tabled by Deputy Ó Cuív concerns abandoned safe deposit boxes residing in some of the oldest banks still in operation today. The Bill comprises six Parts and 30 sections, addressing, among other items, the registration of deposits, the retention by the State of unclaimed property, notification of relevant institutions such as the National Gallery or the National Library and the disposal or transfer of unclaimed property and moneys. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Community and Rural Development first looked at this issue in March 2019. It is clear that some of the issues raised in that debate on abandoned safe deposit boxes have been addressed in Deputy Ó Cuív's Private Member's Bill. The Bill was first introduced in May 2022 and has now reached pre-Committee Stage scrutiny.

Many of the issues raised with the Departments last week related to the scope and drafting of the Bill. Today, we will engage with Finders International, which works to assist with the process of identifying and locating owners for property held in safe deposit boxes by financial institutions on behalf of solicitors, county councils, pension providers, hospitals, nursing homes and private individuals. We look forward to discussing the Bill, its impact on the public and how the committee can best incorporate the views into the detailed scrutiny process to assist with and improve the Bill.

I welcome from Finders International Ireland Ms Maeve Mullin, director, and Ms Lorna Fleming, private client manager. I extend the sympathy of the committee to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of Mr. Brendan O'Donoghue of Finders International, who gave a lot of time and effort to the issue we are considering today. I acknowledge his role and think of his relatives at this difficult time.

Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references 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 pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses 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 in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Mullin to make her opening statement.