Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are dealing with the 2016 annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, chapter 11, national property revaluation programme, and the appropriation accounts for 2016, Vote 16 - Valuation Office. We are joined by officials from the Valuation Office, Mr. John O'Sullivan, Commissioner for Valuation and Accounting Officer for Vote 16, Mr. Declan Lavelle, head of valuation services, and Mary Smyth, personnel and finance officer. We are joined by Mr. Paul Lemass, assistant secretary, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

I wish to advise 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. Witnesses 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 of the committee are reminded of Standing Order 186, which provides that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I will call Mr. O'Sullivan to make his opening statement presently. First, I am seeking some information from Mr. Lemass. Which Department are you from?