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

This morning, we engage with the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, which also acts as the national State Claims Agency. Today's meeting will focus on the NTMA's 2020 financial statements, chapters 15 and 16 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2020 report and chapter 16 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2019 report. We are joined remotely from within the precincts of Leinster House by the following officials from the NTMA: Mr. Conor O'Kelly, chief executive officer; Mr. Frank O’Connor, director of funding and debt management; Ms Susan O’Halloran, chief legal officer; Mr. Ciarán Breen, director of the State Claims Agency; and Mr. Ian Black, chief financial and operating officer. They are all very welcome.

I ask members and witnesses to mute their microphones when not contributing so we 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 will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. As witnesses are within the precincts of Leinster House, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of presentations they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they may say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty, as Cathaoirleach, to ensure that privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not 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.

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