Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation from AIB for a discussion on access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises. I welcome Mr. Bernard Byrne, director of personal business and corporate banking, Mr. Brendan O'Connor, head of financial solutions group, Mr. Denis O'Callaghan, head of branch banking, and Mr. Ken Burke, head of business banking.
I apologise to the witnesses for the delay in beginning proceedings and we will not delay anyone who must leave before the conclusion of the meeting.
I advise the 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they 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.
The timing of this meeting clashes with Question Time so some members will need to be absent for part of the meeting, for which I apologise to the witnesses. Deputy Dara Calleary of Fianna Fáil hopes to return to the meeting in order to put questions. I invite Mr. Byrne to make his presentation.