Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members and viewers who watching the proceedings on Oireachtas TV to this third part of our public session. We are discussing the general scheme of the Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021. I welcome from Insurance Ireland Ms Moyagh Murdock, CEO; Ms Jacqueline Thornton, director of regulation and policy development and company secretary; Mr. Florian Wimber, director of advocacy, communications and public affairs; and Mr. Mike Curtin, manager of regulation and policy development. Ms Murdoch will give a brief opening statement to be followed by a question-and-answer session involving others.

I will read the usual notice of privilege. Witnesses should not mention persons who are outside the House. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity either 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 being damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to the identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. Witnesses attending remotely from outside the parliamentary campus have been made aware that full privilege may not apply in those circumstances. 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Ms Murdoch to make her opening remarks.