Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Our next business is our engagement with the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Fleming, who has responsibility for financial services, credit unions and insurance, and the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Noonan, who has responsibility for heritage and electoral reform, in respect of petition No. 00036/21 from Ms Katie McNelis on reform of insurance for thatched heritage buildings. Ms McNelis appeared before the committee on 29 September 2022 to present her petition. I welcome her to the Public Gallery. It is nice to see her again.

Before we begin, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House as regards 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 the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with such a direction.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish the opening statements of the Ministers of State, Deputies Fleming and Noonan, on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to the Ministers of State. The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, will make his opening statement first, to be followed by the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan. I suggest that they keep their opening statements to approximately ten minutes each. We will then have questions and comments from members. Each member will have approximately ten minutes and will be encouraged to speak more than once if time allows. I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, to make his opening statement.