Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Item No. 7 on the agenda today is an examination of the 2015 appropriation accounts for the Department of Education and Skills, Vote 26. From the Department of Education and Skills we are joined today by Mr Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General, Mr. Dalton Tattan, assistant secretary, Mr. Keith Moynes from the finance unit, Mr. Christy Mannion from the higher education unit, Ms Emma Leonard from the planning and building unit, and Mr. Hubert Loftus from the schools division. From the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform we are joined by Ms Marie Mulvihill.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to switch off their mobile phones. I wish to advise 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 this committee. 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 that 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members of the committee are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 to the effect 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 policies. Finally, members are reminded 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 call on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make a brief opening statement.