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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Verona Murphy.

I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode. 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. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. As they are within the precincts of Leinster House, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means that witnesses 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 does not happen. 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 longstanding 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.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied this morning by Ms Maria Reck, audit manager at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This morning, we will engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the following: Appropriation Accounts 2021; Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Local Government Fund Account 2021; and the 2021 Report on the Accounts of the Public Services, Chapter 6, Central Government Funding of Local Authorities. We are joined from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage by: Mr. Graham Doyle, Secretary General, Ms Aine Stapleton, assistant secretary, social housing delivery; Ms Caroline Timmons, acting assistant secretary, housing affordability, inclusion and homelessness; Mr. Paul Hogan, acting assistant secretary, planning; Mr. Niall Ó Donnchú, assistant secretary, heritage division; and Ms Sinead O'Gorman, principal officer, local government finance unit; and from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform by Ms Jenny Connors, principal officer.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. McCarthy, previously introduced the Department's Appropriation Accounts 2021, the Local Government Fund Account 2021 and Chapter 6 of the Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2021. That was at our meeting on 26 January. Before proceeding, I ask the Comptroller and Auditor General if he wishes to add anything.