Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 4 April 2019

Public Accounts Committee

2017 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality

9:00 am

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today we are examining the appropriation accounts for Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality, for the year 2017. We are joined by Mr. Aidan O’Driscoll, Secretary General; Ms Oonagh McPhillips, deputy secretary general; Mr. Doncha O'Sullivan, assistant secretary; Mr. Michael Kirrane, assistant secretary; Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretary; Mr. Mark Wilson, principal officer; and Mr. Seamus Clifford, principal officer; and by Ms Anne Marie Treacy, assistant principal from the Department of Justice and Equality, and Mr. John Burke, principal officer from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile telephones should be switched off or switched to airplane mode because merely putting them on silent mode can interfere with the recording system.

I advise witnesses 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 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.

Members of the committee are reminded of the provisions under Standing Orders to the effect 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. While we expect witnesses to answer questions put by the committee clearly and with candour, witnesses can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times in accordance with the witness protocol.

We will first hear an opening statement from the Comptroller and Auditor General.

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