Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As we have a quorum we will begin. We have received apologies from Senator Neale Richmond. We had the arrangement in place today to engage directly with the Irish MEPs in Brussels but unfortunately modern technology has let us down. We were going to use the video link which is supposed to be state of the art but it is not. I thank the technicians who tried to get us connected but unfortunately it did not work. Many years ago we were able to send somebody to the moon but today we were unable to speak to the MEPs via video link. I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off. We wanted to engage with the MEPs today as it would have been important to have direct contact with them at this point in time but unfortunately it was not to be.

We have an engagement today with the European Court of Auditors about the annual report on the European Union's use of public funds. I am delighted to welcome Mr. Tony Murphy and his colleagues to the joint committee today. Mr. Murphy is the Irish master of the European Court of Auditors and this is his first time before this committee in his new role. Last year he accompanied the former member, having been nominated and I am pleased to see that his nomination was positively viewed by the European Parliament and I appreciate his commitment to continue this annual engagement. Mr. Murphy comes to this role with a lifetime of dedication to audit work, first in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General here in Dublin, then in the European Commission and more recently in the European Court of Auditors. The European Court of Auditors plays a vital role and important function in assessing the spending of public money by the European Union, whether the money is being spent correctly and the effectiveness of the EU's financial contributions to initiatives. The court provides an interesting perspective on how the EU is doing financially. This engagement will be useful for members of the Oireachtas and it also would have been useful for the MEPs. Before I ask Mr. Murphy to make his opening statement I will remind members of the rules on privilege.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. 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 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 ask Mr. Murphy to go ahead and make his opening statement. We will then come to the members for questions. I welcome everybody in the Public Gallery.