Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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I welcome Mr. Bernard Sheridan, director of consumer affairs at the Central Bank of Ireland. Mr. Sheridan is accompanied by Mr. Colm Kincaid, head of consumer protection, banking, insurance, investments and policy; and Mr. Terry Murphy, consumer protection, banking, insurance, investments and policy. Mr. Sheridan is here to discuss with the committee the Central Bank’s report on the licensed moneylending industry. Mr. Sheridan will make some opening remarks, following which members may put questions to Mr. Sheridan. 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 House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I invite Mr. Sheridan to make his opening comments.