Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform

Matters Relating to the Economy: Discussion with Governor of Central Bank

2:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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I welcome Professor Patrick Honohan, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland. Professor Honohan will make some opening remarks to be followed by a question and answer session I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. 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 you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of a long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.