John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to confirm that the minutes of our meeting on 24 November, 2021 were agreed at our recent private meeting.

We are joined today by representatives from the Central Bank to discuss insurance. With us are Mr. Gerry Cross, director of financial regulation policy and risk, Mr. Donal Cullinane, director of insurance supervision and Dr. Mark Cassidy, director of economics and statistics at the Central Bank of Ireland. The format of the meeting is that we will hear the opening statement from the Central Bank and then members will ask questions on both the statement and the wider issue.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise nor make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Witnesses who are attending remotely from outside the parliamentary campus have been made aware that full parliamentary privilege may not apply. Members and those witnesses attending on the campus are covered by privilege. I now invite Mr. Cross to make his opening remarks.