Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss with the Irish Rural Dwellers Association the difficulties in obtaining insurance for properties in areas that have experienced extreme weather events and empowering rural communities to achieve growth and sustainability. I propose that we deal with the topics separately. One might lead into the other and if that is the case, so be it. I will ask the witnesses to be as brief in their contributions and as specific to the two topics as is possible. I welcome the following: from the Irish Rural Dwellers Association Mr. James Doyle, chairman, and Mr. Neilie O'Sullivan, PRO; from the GAA Mr. John Kelly; from the IFA Mr. Sean Brosnan; and from the McGillycuddy Reeks Study Group, Mr. Micheál O'Connell.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and other documents you have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website this afternoon. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Today's meeting is another instalment of the process in which the committee is engaged to get a feeling for what it is like for people to get insurance following the devastating effects of flooding in recent times, particularly the summer flooding. I am from west County Cork, which has been very badly affected in towns such as Clonakilty and Skibbereen. There are also legacy issues in other areas. We want to get some idea of the difficulties people represented by the Irish Rural Dwellers Association have encountered in getting insurance renewal. Some have been refused cover and others have faced increased premia. It is not just down to a person's residence; it has a very devastating effect on a whole community.