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

I welcome everybody. Apologies have been received from Deputy Matt Carthy who is unavoidably absent.

Please note that to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19, the service encourages all members, visitors and witnesses to continue to wear face masks when moving around the campus or when in close proximity to others, be respectful of other people's physical space and adhere to any other public health advice.

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

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

This morning we will engage with officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine the Appropriation Account for 2020, Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Department has been advised that the committee will examine the area of direct provision and procurement matters, including the awarding of a catering contract to provide meals to Ukrainian refugees.

We are joined in the committee room by the following officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth - Mr. Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General, Ms Carol Baxter, assistant secretary, Ms Anne-Marie Brooks, assistant secretary, Mr. Dermot Ryan, assistant secretary, Ms Lara Hynes, assistant secretary and Ms Laura McGarrigle, assistant secretary. We are also joined by the following officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform - Ms Jessica Lawless, principal officer and Mr. Fionn Jenkinson, assistant principal officer.

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 practices of the House as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. As such witnesses are within the precincts of Leinster House, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the 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 that privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, the witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with such direction.

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 the Government or a Minister of the Government, or the merits or objective 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 of the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, to make his opening statement.