John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome Mr. Ger Deering, Financial Services Ombudsman, and Ms Isolde Goggin, chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

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. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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 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.

I invite Mr. Deering and Ms Goggin to make their opening remarks. The committee notes that the annual report of the Financial Services Ombudsman has been laid before the Houses. It will assist the committee in today's hearing.