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

No. 7 is the 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts. Chapter 4 deals with Vote Accounting and Chapter 12 relates to contract management and education PPP projects; Vote 26 - Education and Skills National Training Fund account 2012.

I remind witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to, please, turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound quality of the recording.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, 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 of 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. Séan Ó Foghlú, Secretary General, Department of Education and Skills, and his officials. Will he, please, introduce them?