Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We will briefly go into private session at the end of this afternoon's engagement to address some housekeeping matters before the committee adjourns. Is that agreed? Agreed. This afternoon we will engage with officials from the Policing Authority to examine the 2020 appropriation accounts for Vote 41. We are joined in the committee room by the following officials from the organisation: Ms Helen Hall, chief executive; Ms Margaret Tumelty, director; and Mr. Cormac Keating, director. They are all very welcome. As usual, I remind those in attendance to ensure that their mobile phones are either on silent mode or switched off.

Before we start, for the benefit of this afternoon’s witnesses, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference they may make to other persons in their evidence. As they are within the precincts of Leinster House, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that this 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. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are again reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 218 that the committee shall refrain from enquiring 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 again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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 call on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.