Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Richie Boucher, group chief executive of Bank of Ireland. He is accompanied by his Bank of Ireland colleagues, Mr. Liam McLoughlin, chief executive retail Ireland, and Mr. Pat Farrell, group head of communications and Government relations.
In terms of the format of this meeting, Mr. Boucher will make comments on the presentation circulated to committee members. In advance of the meeting questions were gathered from committee members and submitted to the Bank of Ireland. I thank Mr. Boucher and his staff for responding in writing to these questions and the responses have been distributed to committee members. These responses, together with the input of the witnesses today, should mean all of the key topics will be covered but, nonetheless, a question and answer session will follow to clarify matters.
I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to switch off all mobile telephones. 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. Witnesses are further directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, 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 parliamentary practice to the effect that 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.
Before I ask Mr. Boucher to begin I want us to agree on some ground rules to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ask questions as this will allow for the best meeting possible. I am proposing that lead speakers for each group have ten minutes.

I propose that lead speakers for each group will have ten minutes, followed by other committee members who shall have five minutes and anybody else wishing to ask questions, who will also have five minutes. The clerk to the committee and I will be keeping an eye on the clock and I will advise members when a minute is remaining of their time to allow them to wrap up because I will be keeping them within their allotted time. If members have further questions I will be happy, time permitting, to allow them to speak again once I have given everyone a fair opportunity to put their questions. It would not serve the purpose of the meeting if the time is used to make statements because witnesses would not have the opportunity to respond properly. I ask members and witnesses to keep their questions and answers short and to the point to facilitate the best interaction possible. I ask members' co-operation to assist in the smooth running of the meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed. I invite Mr. Boucher to make his presentation and ask him to limit it to approximately ten minutes.