Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Public Accounts Committee

2019 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 9 – Office of the Revenue Commissioners
Central Fund Related Accounts - Revenue Account 2019

11:30 am

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

We are joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, a permanent witness to the committee. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off.

Today we will engage with officials from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The matters for examination are, from the Comptroller and Auditor General appropriation accounts 2019, Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners, and from the Central Fund related accounts, Revenue Account 2019.

To assist us in our examination of the matters before us today, and with regard to public health guidelines, we are joined from the Revenue Commissioners by Mr. Niall Cody, Cathaoirleach of the Revenue Commissioners; Brian Ó Baoill, accountant general; and Ms Angela O’Gorman, principal officer. They are all very welcome. I thank Mr. Cody and his staff for the briefing material they have provided for this meeting.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means that 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 that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses 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 properly, and that when members are leaving and taking their seats, they sanitise the area.

I now call on the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, for his opening statement.

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