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

We now move to No. 7, 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts; Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance; Chapter 1 - Exchequer Financial Outturn for 2012; Chapter 2 - Government Debt and Finance Accounts 2012.

Before we commence, I ask members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to switch off their mobile telephones. Also, 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 Mr. John Moran, Secretary General, Department of Finance and his officials and in doing so acknowledge that this is the last occasion on which Mr. Moran will appear before the committee. I wish Mr. Moran well in the future and thank him for his past contributions to the Committee of Public Accounts.

His contribution was constructive and informative. I have no doubt that he will go to pastures green and to better things. I wish him well. I ask him to introduce his officials.