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

This is the second day of our two-day engagement with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I welcome all of our witnesses.

The matters for examination today are from the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the accounts of the public services 2019; chapter 11 - measuring performances for Exchequer spend on social housing;chapter 12 - progress under the land aggregation scheme; and chapter 13 - the pyrite remediation scheme. To assist us in our examination of these matters, and with regard to public health guidelines, we are joined in person by Mr. Graham Doyle, Secretary General of the Department, Mr. John O'Connor, chief executive of the Housing Agency and Ms Marguerite Ryan, finance officer. We are also joined remotely by the following officials from the housing delivery division: Mr. Barry Quinlan, assistant secretary; Ms Sarah Neary, principal adviser; Mr. David Kelly, principal officer; and by Ms Clare Costello from the housing Vote section at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I welcome all of our witnesses and I thank staff in the Department for the briefing material they prepared for the committee.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations that they make to the committee. This means that they have an absolute defence against any defamation for anything that they say at the meeting. Witnesses are expected, however, not to abuse that privilege and it is my duty as Chairman to ensure that this privilege is not abused. If statements by witnesses are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that witnesses comply with such directions. While we expect witnesses to answer questions asked by the committee clearly, frankly and concisely, because we are under time constraint in terms of health regulations, 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 of 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 policy. 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 him or her identifiable. I ask that members and witnesses remove their masks when speaking to ensure that they can be heard and that when members are leaving and taking their seats they sanitise their area.

I now invite the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamas McCarthy, to make his opening statement.