Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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We will now resume in public session. I ask that all mobile phones be switched off or switched to flight mode as they interfere with the broadcasting system. Item No. 7 of today's business is the review of banking charges in the Irish financial sector. We are joined by representatives of the Central Bank and ISME and have received an apology from the Consumer Association of Ireland. We will review bank charges in the Irish financial sector and the wider availability of credit in the general economy for both business and private customers. I welcome, from the Central Bank, Mr. Bernard Sheridan, director of consumer protection, Mr. Mick Steward, deputy head of consumer protection, banking and policy division, and Ms Linda Murphy, senior regulator, consumer protection, banking and policy division. I also welcome Mr. Mark Fielding, chief executive of ISME. Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Fielding will make their opening statements, following which we will have a question and answer session.

I wish to advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 or persons or an 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 Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.