Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are dealing again with the third level education sector. With regard to our examination of the financial statements in the education sector, over the past two weeks we have met with representatives of the Department of Education and Skills, the Higher Education Authority, University College Cork, Dundalk Institute of Technology and University of Limerick.

Today we will continue with three further sessions in which we will examine the financial statements for Waterford Institute of Technology and Dublin Institute of Technology, together with the Grangegorman Development Agency, and the National University of Galway. We will begin with Waterford Institute of Technology’s 2013-14 financial statements. From Waterford Institute of Technology we are joined by Professor Willie Donnelly, President, Ms Elaine Sheridan, Vice President, Dr. Derek O’Byrne, Vice President and Ms Kathryn Kiely, Industry Services Manager. From the Department of Education and Skills we are joined by Mr. Christy Mannion and from the Higher Education Authority by Dr. Graham Love and Mr. Andrew Brownlee.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. I must repeat that it is not enough to put them in silent mode because e-mails coming in and out can disrupt the recording of these proceedings.

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 or 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 would first like to call on Ms Drinan from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to make a brief opening statement.