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

I welcome everyone to the meeting. No apologies have been received. In order to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, I ask that all those in attendance wear face coverings if not engaging with the committee. The service requests people to continue to wear face coverings when moving around the campus or when in close proximity to others and to be respectful of other people’s physical space. I ask people to adhere to any other public health advice.

Members of the committee attending remotely must continue to do so from within the precincts of the Parliament. This is due to the constitutional requirement that, in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee.

This morning we will engage with officials from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, to examine its 2020 financial statements. The meeting will be suspended for an hour at 12.30 p.m. When we resume at 1.30 p.m., we will engage with the Policing Authority to examine the appropriation account for Vote 41 for 2020.

We are joined in the committee room this morning by the following officials from GSOC: Mr. Justice Rory MacCabe, chairperson; Mr. Hugh Hume, commissioner; Ms Emily Logan, commissioner, who has been here many times previously in a different role; and Ms Aileen Healy, director of administration.

When we begin to engage, I ask those who are attending remotely to put their microphones on mute when not contributing so that 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 mode or switched off.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. As the witnesses 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 that 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 reminded of the provisions within 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 policies. 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Mr. Justice MacCabe is very welcome. As detailed in the letter of invitation, he will have five minutes for his opening statement. Lean ar aghaidh.