Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This morning we are meeting the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, regarding the NTMA financial statements 2018 and the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2017, chapter 21 - accounts of the National Treasury Management Agency. There will be two parts or sessions to our engagement with the NTMA today. We will deal with all matters in the accounts with the exception of those relating to the State Claims Agency for the first two hours approximately. In the second part of the meeting, we will deal only with matters related to the State Claims Agency and we will be joined with representatives from the HSE and the Department of Health for that part of the meeting. I wish to remind members that we will meet in private session this afternoon to conclude discussion on our periodic report, which we will launch next Tuesday afternoon.

We are joined this morning by, from the NTMA, Mr. Conor O’Kelly, chief executive officer, Mr. Ian Black, chief financial officer and Ms Sinead Brennan, director of human resources and organisational development; and from the State Claims Agency, Mr. Ciarán Breen, director, Ms Catherine Tarrant, executive head of claims, clinical indemnity scheme, and Mr. Pat Kirwin, deputy director and head of enterprise risk. We are also joined by Mr. Eoin Dorgan, principal officer of the Department of Finance. I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery that all mobile phones should be switched off and not just put on silent mode as that can interfere with the recording system.

I wish to advise the 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. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members 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. Although 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. There will be a five-minute suspension before we move to dealing with the State Claims Agency.

For the benefit of those watching the proceedings, I wish to outline the role of the NTMA. Mr. O'Kelly will also do so and all members understand it. We are dealing today with the financial statements of the National Treasury Management Agency, including its administration account, the management of the national debt of Ireland, the Post Office Savings Bank Fund, the State Claims Agency, the Dormant Accounts Fund, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF and the NTMA's management of the Apple escrow account. These are the type of issues that will arise.

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