Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I hope members had a nice Christmas break. This is our first public meeting of 2023. We are joined today by representatives of the National Oversight and Audit Commission, NOAC. I welcome the chairperson, Mr. Michael McCarthy, board members, Ms Margaret Lane and Ms Fiona Quinn, and head of the NOAC secretariat, Ms Claire Gavin. They have supplied us with the most recent reports of NOAC's oversight of the performance of local authorities, a briefing document and an opening statement, all of which have been circulated to members.

Before we commence, I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. Witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by an absolute privilege in respect of their contributions to today's meeting. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action in respect of anything they say at the meeting. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy and it is my duty as Chairman to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if any statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, speakers will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members and witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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.

The format we will follow for the meeting is that, following Mr. McCarthy's statement, members will have seven or eight minutes each to ask questions and get answers. This will give us time to get to all the members. I invite Mr. McCarthy to make his opening statement on behalf of NOAC.