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

We will deal now with Vote No. 11- Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances; Vote - 18 Share Services and the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report 87 - Effectiveness of Audit Committees in State Bodies and issues with Procurement.

Before we begin, I remindmembers, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to please turn off their mobile telephones as they interfere with the sound quality of the transmission of the meeting. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 or make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provision within 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. Robert Watt, Secretary General, of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and invite him to introduce his officials.