Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are joined today by Mr. Niall Cody, chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Mr. Declan Rigney, assistant secretary in the planning division, Dr. Keith Walsh, principal officer, and Mr. Liam Woods, principal officer. We are dealing today with the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2016 Report.

I apologise - I should have said Mr. Keith Walsh.

We are dealing today the Comptroller and Auditor General's report from 2016 and specifically with chapter 20 on corporation tax receipts. We are joined from the Department of Finance by Mr. John Hogan, assistant secretary, Mr. John McCarthy, assistant secretary, and Mr. Rónán Hession, principal officer.

I remind members, witnesses and everyone in the room that all mobile phones must be switched off or put into aeroplane mode. I advise the witness 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. 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 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 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 No. 186 to the effect that the committee should refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

In the context of today's meeting, that last statement is important. Corporation tax is a very important issue for the economy. We want to deal with the accuracy and collection of corporation tax forecasting and receipts. We will be trying to ascertain what accounts for what appears to be some inconsistencies in forecasting. I will now invite the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.