Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and his officials to discuss the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2015-2017. The report updates the multi-annual expenditure ceilings for the three year period 2015 to 2017. The objective of the comprehensive expenditure review process is to provide the Government with a comprehensive set of decision options which serve to realign spending with the revised programme for Government priorities, meet overall fiscal objectives and explore new and innovative ways of delivering Government policy in a reformed public sector.

The format of the meeting will be as follows. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, will make some opening remarks, and a question-and-answer session will follow to clarify any matters. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. We have had feedback from members of the public that mobile phones which are not switched off are interfering with the public's enjoyment of these committee sessions.

I wish to advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Finally, I remind members of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister to make his opening remarks.