Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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Fine. We will do that and it has been noted by the secretariat. Standard procedure from now on will be that after every meeting, we will send NAMA a letter regarding any documentation we need to obtain from it because I am sure something will come up today that will require clarification. It will be routine that at the conclusion of each meeting, the secretariat will send a letter, on the behalf of us, seeking the matters referred to.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off.

I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If, however, they are directed by it 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 any person or an entity, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policy or policies. Finally, 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 an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Mr Soffe will make an opening statement on behalf of the three directors in attendance today. Then we will have questions from members of the committee, who will be free to direct their questions to whomsoever of the witnesses they consider most appropriate. We will work that out as the meeting goes along. I call on Mr. Soffe to commence.