John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The first item on the agenda is the minutes of our meetings on 1 and 8 December 2021. The minutes were agreed and dealt with at our private meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I refer to the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner. Members are aware of the announcement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, that Mr. Ger Deering was selected as the candidate to be nominated as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner following the retirement of Mr. Peter Tyndall. Formal notification of the motion to nominate Mr. Deering was referred to the joint committee, which is required to report to both the Dáil and the Seanad before 14 December 2021. I welcome Mr. Deering to the meeting, congratulate him and wish him well. I thank Mr. Tyndall for his period of office. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the role Mr. Deering is now taking up and his ambitions for that role. We are delighted to have him with us to outline that.

I remind members and our witness of the note on privilege. As long as they are here in Leinster House, they are covered by privilege. If they are not, they may be only entitled to part privilege. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Deering to make his opening remarks, after which members may engage with him.