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

Apologies have been received from the Cathaoirleach, Deputy John McGuinness. I welcome members and viewers who may be watching proceedings on Oireachtas TV to the public session of the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach today. There are two sessions in today's meeting, the first of which will consider with the Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2024, and the second of which will consider the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Jersey) Order 2024 and the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Sultanate of Oman) Order 2024. On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Neale Richmond, to the committee. They are all very welcome.

As normal, I will read the note on privilege. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges a person outside of the Houses of the Oireachtas either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members who are attending remotely of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in a meeting. Members will not be in order if they are outside of the physical committee room or the Houses of the Oireachtas.

For the smooth running of the committee, any member acting in substitution of a member of the committee should formally notify the clerk now if they are ready to do so. Divisions will be taken as they arise and members must attend in person in the committee room for the divisions although they can attend a meeting remotely. Members attending this meeting in accordance with Standing Order 106(3), should be aware that, pursuant to the Standing Order, he or she may move his or amendment but cannot participate in voting on that amendment.