Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our topic this morning is the health insurance sector. I remind members and those in the visitors' gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they have an impact on the recording of the meeting. To be fair to the staff and those watching the proceedings at home, mobile phones should be turned off.

Our meeting today will be in two parts. The first part will be a discussion with the Health Insurance Authority represented by Mr. Liam Sloyan, chief executive, and Mr. Jim Joyce, chairperson. In the second part of our meeting we will hear from the health insurers. I propose, with the members' agreement, that this segment of the meeting will conclude by 10.45 a.m., following which we will have the second session with the health insurers. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome Mr. Sloyan and Mr. Joyce to the meeting. As members and those watching the proceedings at home will be aware, the Health Insurance Authority is a statutory regulator of the private health insurance market. The authority was established in 2001 under the Health Insurance Act. The authority is independent in the exercise of its function and the principal functions of the authority are laid out in the Health Insurance Act. I will not detail its different functions.

Before we commence I remind our witnesses that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person, persons 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 and ruling of the Chairman to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call Mr. Joyce to make his opening remarks.