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

This morning we have the first engagement of the new Dáil, with the Health Service Executive, HSE, to examine their 2020 financial statements. This engagement is limited to two hours. We will meet with the HSE again at the same time next week. For today's meeting, the HSE has been advised that the areas in which the committee has an interest include Covid-19 procurement and related expenditure, as well as the HSE’s integrated financial management statement and procurement system.

We are joined remotely from within the precincts of Leinster House by the following officials of the HSE: Mr. Paul Reid, CEO; Ms Anne O’Connor, chief operations officer; Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer; Mr. John Swords, national director of procurement; and, Ms Mairead Dolan, assistant chief financial officer. We are also joined remotely from outside of Leinster House by Mr. John O'Grady, principal officer at the Department of Health. They are all very welcome.

Before we begin to engage, I ask members and witnesses to mute their microphones while not contributing, so that they do not pick up any background noise or feedback. As usual, I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are on silent or switched off. Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the House, as regards references which they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. However, one of today's witnesses is giving their evidence remotely from a place outside parliamentary precincts. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. The witness has already been advised of this and may have thought it appropriate to take legal advice on this matter. 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 Government, or Minister of the Government, or the merits or objectives of such policies. Members are also reminded of long-standing parliamentary practice that they should comment on, criticise, or make charges against a person outside the House, or an official, either by name, or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. To assist our broadcast and debates services, I ask members to direct their questions to a specific witness.

Where a question has not been directed to a specific witness, I ask that the witnesses responding state their names the first time they contribute.

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