Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The proceedings of Oireachtas committees will be conducted without the requirement for social distancing, with normal capacity in the committee rooms restored. However, committees are encouraged to take a gradual approach to this change. Members and witnesses have the option to attend meetings in the relevant committee room or online via Microsoft Teams. All those attending the committee room should continue to wash their hands properly and often, avail of sanitisers, be respectful of other people's physical space and practise good respiratory etiquette. If they have any Covid symptoms, no matter how mild, they should not attend in the committee meeting room. Members and all in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. As they are well aware, if members are participating remotely they are required to participate from within the Leinster House complex. We have received no apologies, which is good.

Today we are discussing the proposed personal injuries resolution board Bill 2022. The general scheme of the Bill was recently referred by the Minister of State with responsibility for trade, digital and company regulation, Deputy Troy, for pre-legislative scrutiny by this committee. The Bill aims to amend the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Acts 2003 to 2019 to increase the number of personal injury claims settled through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and to avoid the expense and time associated with litigation.

Due to the proposed expansion of the board's remit and new statutory functions to be conferred on it to resolve personal injury claims, the general scheme also provides for a change in the name to the personal injuries resolution board. The committee previously heard from officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and today I am pleased we have the opportunity to consider the matter further with representatives from various organisations. I welcome from the Alliance for Insurance Reform Mr. Peter Boland, director, and Ms Tracy Sheridan, the director and owner of Kidspace PlayCentre at Rathfarnham and Rathcoole. From Insurance Ireland we welcome Ms Moyagh Murdock, chief executive officer; Mr. Florian Wimber, director of advocacy, communications and public affairs; Mr. Michael Curtin, manager of regulation and policy development; and Mr. Michael Horan, non-life insurance manager.

Before we start I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses in respect of references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or 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 a person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Mr. Peter Boland to make opening remarks on behalf of the Alliance for Insurance Reform.