Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We meet to discuss No. 5 on the agenda, scrutiny of the Flood Insurance Bill 2016, which is Private Members' business in the name of Deputy Michael McGrath. In attendance we also have Mr. Jer Buckley, public relations officer, National Forum of Communities Flood Committee; Mr. Pat O'Connell, president, Cork Business Association; and Mr. Paul Kavanagh, managing director, McCarthy Insurance Brokers. I welcome everyone to the committee.

Today, in accordance with Standing Order 141(2), the committee will scrutinise the provisions of the Flood Insurance Bill 2016. Today's meeting will consist of three sessions. In session 1, Deputy Michael McGrath will outline the Bill to the committee and that will be followed by a short presentation by Mr. Jer Buckley who is representing the National Forum of Communities Flood Committee. Mr. Pat O'Connell and Mr. Paul Kavanagh are also attending.

In session 2 we will hear from Mr. Kevin Thompson, chief executive officer and Dr. Swenja Surminski, senior research fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, which is part of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

In session 3 we will hear from Deputy Michael D'Arcy, Minister of State at the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, who has special responsibility for financial services and insurance; and Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform who has special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and flood relief. They will respond to the debate.

I wish to 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 the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, 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 any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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.

Session 1 is to conclude by 11 a.m. I invite Deputy Michael McGrath to make his opening statement.