Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Ó Cathasaigh, Munster and Verona Murphy. I welcome the witnesses. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference 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. This means that witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

A number of witnesses today are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses who are physically present. Those witnesses have already been advised of this and may think it appropriate to take legal advice on the matter.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise, or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable, or otherwise to engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 218 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government, or a Minister of the Government, or the merits of the objectives of such policies. Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied this morning by Ms Patricia Devlin, deputy director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

This morning, we engage with officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and representatives of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI to examine Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications of the Appropriation Accounts 2022, the 2022 financial statements of the SEAI, and Chapter 8 of the 2022 report on the accounts of the public services on the performance of certain residential retrofit schemes.

We are joined by Ms Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General; Mr. Philip Nugent, assistant secretary; Mr. Barry Quinlan, assistant secretary; Mr. Fergal Mulligan, director of the national broadband plan, NBP; and Ms Louise Carrigan, principal officer, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. Dr. Richard Browne, director of the National Cyber Security Centre, NCSC; and Mr. Robert Deegan, principal officer, are joining us online. We are also joined by Mr. William Walsh, chief executive officer; Ms Marion O'Brien, director of corporate services; Mr. Ciaran Byrne, director of national retrofit; Mr. Declan Meally, director of business, public sector and transport; and Ms Margie McCarthy, director of research, policy and insights, SEAI. We are joined online by Ms Olivia O'Connor, head of finance; Mr. Tom Halpin, head of marketing and communications; Mr. Joe Durkan, head of technical; and Mr. Brian O'Mahony, head of community and national retrofit scheme, SEAI.

We are also joined by Mr. Ken Cleary, principal officer at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

The witnesses are all very welcome. I now call on the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, to make his opening statement.