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

We are now dealing with Special Report No. 78 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Matters Arising out of Education Audits (resumed). Before we begin, I again remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off all mobile phones as the interference from them affects the sound quality and broadcast transmission of the meeting.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House, or 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 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 policy or policies.

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