Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is the second session of the consideration of mortgage insurance in an Irish context. We have invited a number of witnesses to discuss issues regarding mortgage insurance. The format of the meeting will be a round table discussion. I welcome the witnesses, who will make their opening statements in the following order: Mr. Brendan Burgess, from askaboutmoney.com; Mr. Paul Joyce, from the Free Legal Advice Service, FLAC; Mr. Karl Dieter, from Irish Mortgage Brokers; and Mr. Ross Maguire, from New Beginning. When all of the witnesses have made their opening statements, a question-and-answer session with the members will then ensue. Given the time constraints involved and to ensure we have a constructive discussion, I ask that all opening statements be kept to approximately five minutes. Witnesses have already been advised by the committee secretariat that I will stop them if they go excessively over that time limit. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off because they interfere with the broadcasting equipment.
I advise witnesses 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 this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to do so, 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 that effect. Where possible you should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Finally, members are reminded of the longstanding rule of the Chair to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Burgess to begin.