Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank members. I was Vice Chairman of this committee at one stage, so I have some experience of chairing the proceedings.

I extend a special welcome to our colleagues from the European Parliament who are joining us via the video-conferencing facility. The committee has been very clear about the importance of strong engagement with Irish MEPs and we are eager to find the best way to do this. We will pilot the use of the video-conferencing facility for three to four meetings and then review it and see how well it is working. A number of MEPs have expressed their support for this initiative but were not able to attend today but we are delighted that a number of MEPs are joining us. We hope they will be able to take a full part in the proceedings this afternoon.

Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, and Senators Paul Coghlan, Terry Leyden and Neale Richmond. As time is particularly tight today and we have two important witnesses, I suggest we move directly to our engagement with the Irish member of the European Court of Auditors, Mr. Kevin Cardiff, to be followed by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Dara Murphy, before dealing with issues in private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Mobile phones should be switched off because, even on silent mode, they cause interference with the recording equipment in the committee room.

On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome Mr. Kevin Cardiff to the meeting. Mr. Cardiff has travelled from Luxembourg to be here and we are grateful for that.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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 joint committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The European Court of Auditors is the independent external audit institution of the European Union. In its annual report on the EU budget, the court gives its opinion on the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the transactions that underline them. The European Union budget is large and it is important that citizens know that money is being spent appropriately with little fraud. We look forward to discussing this with Mr. Cardiff and I invite him to make his introductory remarks.