Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In our first session this morning, we met representatives of UCC to discuss its financial statements. In this session we will examine Dundalk Institute of Technology's financial statements for 2014 and 2015. From Dundalk Institute of Technology, we are joined by Ms Ann Campbell, interim president, Mr. Peter McGrath, vice president for finance and corporate affairs, Mr. Gerald O'Driscoll, human resources manager, Ms Marie Madigan, financial manager, and Ms Irene McCausland, vice president of strategic planning, communications and development. We are joined by an official from the Department of Education and Skills, Mr. Christy Mannion, and from the Higher Education Authority, Dr. Graham Love.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to make sure all mobile phones are on airplane mode or turned off, not just on silent mode. E-mails coming through can still upset the recording system on silent mode, so it is not enough.

I advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence relating to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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. 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.

I call on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make a brief opening comment.