Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin I remind members that we deal with correspondence and other agenda items in private following this session. This is session B, involving representatives from the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland. The purpose of this session is to continue our deliberations on the issue of the provision of insurance in areas at risk of flooding and subsidence.

I welcome Mr. Tony Smyth, director of engineering services, and his colleague, Mr. Brian Brogan, from the Office of Public Works. I also welcome Mr. Kevin Thompson, chief executive of Insurance Ireland, and his colleague, Mr. Michael Horan. The format of the session involve Mr. Tony Smyth making some opening remarks followed by Mr. Kevin Thomson. A question and answer session will follow that to clarify any matters.

I advise the 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 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 or 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 ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.