Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Earlier, we discussed the financial statements of University College Cork and Dundalk Institute of Technology. In this session, we will examine the 2014-2015 financial statements of the University of Limerick, UL. We are joined by Professor Don Barry, president; John Field, director of finance; Callista Bennis and Tommy Foy. We are also joined by Mr. Christy Mannion from the Department of Education and Skills and Dr. Graham Love and Mr. Andrew Brownlee from the Higher Education Authority.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. I wish to advise the witnesses 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 in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

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