Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and his officials. Today's meeting will deal with the expenditure outturn for 2016, the Revised Book of Estimates for 2017 and public expenditure policy issues in general. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. The interference from mobile phones affects the sound quality and transmission of the meeting.

I am also obliged to run through the privilege notice. I bring to witnesses' attention 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 the committee 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 that effect. Where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

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 outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite the Minister to make his opening statement.