Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will continue our consideration of the education and training board sector. This is session 3, at which we are joined by the Tipperary Education and Training Board for its 2015 financial statements and by Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board for its 2014 financial statements. From Tipperary Education and Training Board, I welcome Mr. John Hogan, chairman; Ms Fionuala McGeever, chief executive; Mr. Frank Bermingham, director of organisation; and Mr. Liam McGrath, assistant principal officer. From Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board we are joined by Mr. Jim Ruttle, chairperson; Mr. Seán Ashe, chief executive; Ms Catherine Doran, Ms Linda Wynne and Ms Brigid Daly Lynam. We also have representatives from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and from SOLAS, and the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.

In regard to the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, the Department of Education and Skills wrote to the committee on 4 October informing us that it was carrying out an investigation into the performance of the board and into its function, particularly in relation to public procurement, usage and disposal of assets and proprietary matters relating to the 2015 accounts. Professor Richard Thorn has been appointed to carry out the investigation and it is envisaged that this will be completed in quarter one of 2018. The accounts before us today are for 2014, not 2015. That said, care must be taken by witnesses and members of the committee to say nothing that might compromise the already mentioned investigation.

I wish to advise witnesses of 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. I welcome the witnesses and thank them for being here.

I forgot to ask the Comptroller and Auditor General to give a brief opening statement on the two previous education and training boards, ETBs. I invite him to do so now.