Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today we are dealing with appropriation accounts for 2017, Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance, and the finance accounts for 2017. We are also dealing with the Comptroller and Auditor Generals report for 2017, chapter 1, which deals with the Exchequer financial outturn for 2017, and Chapter 22, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. We are also dealing with the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report No. 105 on Ireland's transactions with the EU in 2017.

We are joined from the Department of Finance by Mr. Derek Moran, Secretary General; Mr. John McCarthy, assistant secretary and chief economist; Mr. Gary Tobin, assistant secretary, banking division; Ms Mary McSharry, head of corporate affairs; and Mr. Fiachra Quinlan, finance officer. We are joined from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by Mr. Brian O’Malley, principal officer; and Ms Vicky Cahill, assistant principal.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off or placed in airplane mode as merely putting them on silent will interfere with the sound recording system.

I wish to advise the witnesses 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to 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 the provisions within Standing Order 186 that the committee shall also refrain from enquiring 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.

While we expect witnesses to answer questions asked 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.

I invite the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.