Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome Mr. Kevin Thompson, who is the chief executive officer of Insurance Ireland; Dr. Declan Jackson, who the director of government affairs of Insurance Ireland; and Mr. Michael Horan, who is the non-life manager of Insurance Ireland. I also welcome Mr. Séamus Maye of the International Small Business Alliance; Mr. Gerry Duddy, who is the secretary to the Public Banking Forum of Ireland; and Mr. Jerry Beades, who is the chair of Friends of Banking Ireland. They are here to discuss the cost of doing business.

In accordance with procedure, I am required to inform the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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. They 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. 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. I remind our guests that their presentations should not last more than five minutes. The presentations submitted by today's attendees have been furnished to the members of the committee. I ask Mr. Thompson to make his presentation to the committee.