Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Public Accounts Committee

2018 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 6 - Expenditure under a Maintenance Contract
2019 Appropriation Accounts
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works

4:30 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are joined remotely by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, the permanent witness to the committee. We have received an apology from Deputy Munster, who cannot attend. I remind all those in attendance to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode. Today we are engaging with the Office of Public Works, OPW.

The matters for examination are the Comptroller and Auditor General's Appropriation Accounts 2019, Vote 13 – Office of Public Works, and the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2018, chapter 6 - expenditure under a maintenance contract. To assist us in our examination of the matters, and having regard to public health guidelines, we are joined in person by Mr. Maurice Buckley, chairman of the OPW, and Ms Kathryna Clifford, principal officer. We are joined remotely by Mr. John Sydenham, OPW commissioner, Mr. John McMahon, OPW commissioner, Mr. John Curtin, director of flood risk assessment and management, and Mr. Martin Bourke, head of planning and estate management. All the guests are very welcome. I thank them for the briefing they provided to the committee.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. While we expect witnesses to answer questions asked by the committee clearly and frankly, witnesses can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times, in accordance with the witness protocol.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 218 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. Members are also 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I ask that members and witnesses remove their masks when speaking to ensure they can be heard, and that when members are leaving and taking their seats, they sanitise the area.

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

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