Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will now examine the 2016 financial statement for the Industrial Development Authority, IDA. I would like to welcome Mr. Martin Shanahan, CEO of the IDA and his colleagues, Ms Mary Buckley, Ms Eileen Sharpe, Ms Regina Gannon and Ms Sarah Jane Hutchinson. We are also joined by Mr. Brian Walsh from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off or put on aeroplane rather than silent mode. I wish to advise 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 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 their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and 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. Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 186 that the committee shall also refrain from enquiring 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.

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