John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to engage with representatives of Insurance Ireland and the Consumers Association of Ireland on the issue of petrol stretching. Members will recall that on 3 December, we met officials from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners regarding this matter in order to establish how the scourge of fuel fraud, particularly petrol stretching or fuel contamination, might be satisfactorily addressed.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Kevin Thompson, CEO, and Mr. Michael Horan from Insurance Ireland and, from the Consumers Association of Ireland, Mr. Dermott Jewell and Mr. Raymond O'Rourke. I wish to draw their 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 committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise them that any submission or opening statement they make to the committee will be published on our website after the 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Mr. Thompson to make his opening remarks.