Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee, and by Ms Ruth Foley, deputy director of audit, at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. We are meeting the HSE to discuss the accounts of the public service for 2018 and, in particular, chapter 15 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, which deals with the development of primary care centres. We made the decision a number of weeks ago, in the interests of time, to try to limit our consideration today to certain key topics because the HSE was here in July just before the summer recess and we discussed its 2018 financial statements at that stage. Given that the HSE is here to discuss chapter 15 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, we decided to add a few other items for discussion as follows: an update on measures to reduce incidents of clinical negligence that may lead to state claims, which is an ongoing topic; an update on matters related to oversight of section 38 and section 39 organisations and practice in issuing advance funding to such organisations; private ambulance contracts and; home support services. Those matters were mentioned by the members as being of interest this afternoon.

We are joined by Mr. Paul Reid, chief executive officer; Ms Anne O'Connor, chief operations officer; Mr. Dean Sullivan, chief safety officer; Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer; and Mr. Ray Mitchell, parliamentary affairs division, HSE. We are also joined by Mr. Fergal Goodman, head of primary care division; and Mr. Andy Conlon, principal officer, primary care, Department of Health.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile phones must be switched off.

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 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.

While we expect witnesses to answer questions clearly and with candour, they can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect at all times, in accordance with the witness protocol.

I call the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, to give his opening statement.