Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now back in public session and this morning we will examine the 2016 financial statement for Transport Infrastructure Ireland. I welcome Mr. Michael Nolan, chief executive officer, CEO, of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. He is accompanied by Mr. Nigel O'Neill, director of commercial operations, Mr. Michael Kennedy, public private partnership, PPP, procurement and PPP finance section, Mr. Declan Wylde, head of finance, Ms Audrey Keogh, financial controller.

We are also joined by Dominic Mullaney principal officer roads division and Kevin Doyle, public transport, corporate and services division at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. That means putting them in airplane, not just on silent.

I advise the witnesses to the fact 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. However, 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 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 Orders 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 policies.

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