Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome everyone to our public meeting this afternoon. We have apologies from Deputy Pat Buckley. We approved the minutes of the private and public meetings on 19 and 20 June 2024 in a virtual private meeting but we must do this publicly for procedural reasons. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

I remind members of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the place in which parliament has chosen to sit, namely Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts, will have to leave the meeting.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references made to other persons in witnesses' evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and the 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 to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose we publish their opening statements on the committee's webpage. On behalf of the committee I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Liam Sloyan, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, FSPO, Ms MaryRose McGovern, deputy ombudsman and Dr. Aoibhín de Búrca, director of corporate and communications services, FSPO. I suggest that our witnesses should make their opening statements for five to ten minutes. When they are finished making their opening statements, we will then have questions and comments from members. Each member will have ten minutes and they may speak more than once.

I call Mr. Liam Sloyan to make his opening statement.