Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Please note that there will be two parts to today's meeting. The second session will deal with the 2015 appropriation accounts, specifically the internal audit of financial procedures in the Garda College as per Vote 20 - Garda Síochána. This session, however, will deal with Bord na gCon's financial statements for 2015. For clarification, Bord na gCon is accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts for its finances but not for its regulatory functions, which are within the remit of the agriculture committee. We are here to examine the financial accounts.

From Bord na gCon, we are joined by Mr. Phil Meaney, chairman, Dr. Seán Brady, interim chief executive officer, Mr. Michael Murnane, chief financial officer, and Mr. Colin Walsh, director of commercial operations. They and their colleagues are welcome.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off. I 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 the committee. If they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 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.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 that the committee shall also 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 policy. Members are also 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 either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.