Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome all the members and note that Senator Cummins is deputising for Senator Lombard. I welcome everyone to the meeting. Apologies have been received from Senator Craughwell. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

The first business is to approve the minutes of the private and public meetings of 19 and 20 April 2023. Those minutes have already been approved in a virtual private meeting but we must do this now for procedural reasons. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I will now read some formal notices. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

Our next business is our engagement with Mr. Liam Sloyan, Financial Services Pensions Ombudsman and Ms MaryRose McGovern, deputy financial services and pensions ombudsman. They are here to discuss the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, FSPO, annual report for 2021 and other related matters. Before we start, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or to otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish the opening statement on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Sloyan and McGovern. Mr. Sloyan will read out his opening statement - I suggest it lasts around ten minutes - which will be followed by questions and comments from members. I ask each member to ensure their comments only last ten minutes in order that members can speak a second time.

I invite Mr. Sloyan to make his opening statement.