Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this morning's engagement is to continue the series of hearings on the separate but related issues of access to justice and legal costs. The focus of today’s meeting will be more on the costs aspect.

We are joined from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission by Ms. Isolde Goggin, chairperson, and Mr. Fergal O’Leary. From the State Claims Agency, we are joined by Mr. David Mack, head of legal costs, and Mr. David Dunning, senior legal cost accountant. From Insurance Ireland, we are joined by Mr. Gerry Hassett, interim chief executive, Mr. Michael Horan, non-life manager, and Mr. Declan Jackson, director of government affairs. From the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, we are joined by Mr. Brian J. Doherty, chief executive, and Mr. Ultan Ryan, secretary. All the witnesses are welcome.

I will shortly invite the witnesses to make their opening statements in the order in which I have introduced them. It is in no special order and is just based on the seating arrangement.

I must draw the attention of our witnesses to the situation relating to privilege. Please note that you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give to the committee. However, if you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and you continue to so do, 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 the effect that, where possible, you 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 should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair 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.

I invite Ms Goggin to make her opening statement on behalf of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.