John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for the delay. The Chairman will be back and I am taking his place until his return.

We are examining the 2012 Appropriation Accounts and annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor and General: chapter 16 - expenditure on welfare and employment schemes; chapter 17 - regularity of social welfare payments; chapter 18 - welfare overpayment debts; chapter 19 - domiciliary care allowance; chapter 20 - invalidity pension; Vote 37- Social Protection; and social insurance fund annual accounts 2012.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to the committee. However, 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 Houses 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 Ms O'Donoghue, Secretary General, Department of Social Protection, and ask her to introduce her officials.