David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Mark Johnson and thank him for his attendance at the meeting. The format is that we will ask him to make brief opening remarks of five or six minutes duration and then we will have a question and answer session with the members.

Before we begin, I draw Mr. Johnson's attention to the position on privilege. I ask him to note that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members should be aware that under the Salient Rulings of the Chair, 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.