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

Before we begin our meeting I ask members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound transmission of the meeting. During the meeting yesterday we got numerous calls from RTE asking us to ensure mobile phones are switched off because it had a huge amount of interference as members were speaking.

I advise the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they 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 in Standing Order 163 that the committee should 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 welcome Mr. Paul Maloney, former chief executive officer of Dublin Docklands Development Authority, and Ms Eileen Quinlivan, acting chief executive officer of Dublin Docklands Development Authority. I ask the Comptroller and Auditor General to introduce the report.