Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Éamonn Downey, acting president, Irish Claims Consultants Association; Mr. Brendan Dempsey, Society of St. Vincent de Paul; and Mr. Paul Kavanagh and Mr. John O'Donoghue, managing director, Owens McCarthy, claims specialists. I draw attention to the fact that, 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. If they are directed by it 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 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.

I advise you that the opening statement and any other documents you have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website after this meeting. 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 by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We have considered the issue of flooding for a number of weeks and have heard much evidence. This is our penultimate hearing of evidence on this topic and I am interested in hearing the views of the Irish Claims Consultants Association and, separately, the views of the representatives of Owens McCarthy Limited, a claims specialist. It is apt that we have invited insurance brokers to address us today because they are the people on the ground dealing with the householders who take out home insurance and seek compensation for the damage and inconvenience they suffer when their homes are flooded. Accordingly, brokers have a clear insight into the difficulties faced by householders and how these difficulties are accommodated or otherwise by insurance companies. I ask the witnesses to be open and direct in their comments. We need to consider the issue in its full complexity and take cognisance of all aspects. I invite Mr. Éamonn Downey to address the committee.