Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the first session of today's meeting, we will consider chapter 8 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report of 2016, which is on central Government funding of local authorities, the Local Government Fund Financial Statement 2016 and Special Report No. 97 on the administration and collection of motor taxes. The second session will focus on the Appropriation Account for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. We may not complete the first session before divisions are taken in the Dáil at 12.50 p.m., in which case the session will continue thereafter and we will take a break before the second session commences.

As chapter 8 deals with funding for local authorities, much of which is for roads, and we are also discussing the special report on the administration and collection of motor taxes, it is intended to discuss relevant matters with officials from the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Housing, Planning and Local Government and representatives of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. However, only officials from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government need to be here for the second session. It would be too unwieldy to deal with all these matters in one session.

The first session will focus on chapter 8 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report of 2016, which is on central Government funding of local authorities. Members noted the importance of having a good understanding of how local authorities are funded. While local authorities are not accountable to the Committee of Public Accounts, they are substantially funded from the Central Fund, mainly through the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. We asked the Accounting Officers from all three bodies to appear for this reason.

We are joined from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government by Mr. John McCarthy, Secretary General, and his officials, Ms Maria Graham, Mr. Paul Lemass, Mr. Maurice Coughlan, Ms Lorraine O'Donoghue, Mr. Rory O'Leary, Ms Theresa Donohue and Ms Janet Jacobs; from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport by Mr. Graham Doyle, Secretary General, and his officials, Mr. Ray O'Leary, Mr. Dominic Mullaney, Mr. Tim Scully and Ms Marie Gleeson; and from Transport Infrastructure Ireland by Mr. Michael Nolan, chief executive officer, who is joined by Mr. Peter Walsh and Mr. Pat Maher.

I ask the Accounting Officers to be as concise as possible in making their opening statements, which will be published and noted. I am sure the weather of recent weeks placed considerable pressure on all Departments as well as Transport Infrastructure Ireland. I expect, therefore, that they had more pressing priorities than usual while preparing to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts. Given the ability of the witnesses, I have no doubt they will be able to take this meeting in their stride, as they did when dealing with everything else in recent weeks.

On behalf of members of the committee and members of the public, I thank Mr. Seán Hogan, national director for fire and emergency management, and all the staff involved in recent efforts for the commitment they showed in keeping the country as safe as possible. It would be remiss of the committee not to thank them. Mr. Hogan is not here today as he is probably still busy but perhaps he will be able to rest next week. I would also like to record the gratitude of elected Members for the fabulous work carried out by local authorities and various agencies in recent weeks. Their work is genuinely appreciated by the public. The handling of recent weather difficulties enhanced the esteem in which the public service is held by the population. People appreciated the role of public servants and their work with community and voluntary organisations. It had a beneficial impact and much good came from it, notwithstanding the difficulties we experienced.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off or placed in aeroplane mode. Placing telephones in silent mode is not sufficient as they will continue to cause interference with recording equipment.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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 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 to only 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 of the committee are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 that the committee shall 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 on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make a brief opening statement.