Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Public Accounts Committee

2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Chapter 17 - European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
FÁS Financial Statements 2012
National Training Fund

10:10 am

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we begin, I remind Members and witnesses to turn off their mobile telephones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I wish to advise witnesses that you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise nor make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House, nor an official, by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 163 that the committee shall also 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.

I want to welcome, Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General, Department of Education and Skills. I ask Mr. Ó Foghlú to introduce his officials.

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