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

I apologise to the witnesses, who we had to hold up for a few moments. As we normally do not like to keep people waiting, I thank them for their patience. Apologies have been received from Deputy Munster. The witnesses are all welcome and I remind all those who are 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 references 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, they are protected by absolute privilege with respect to the presentations they make to the committee. This means the witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if the witnesses' 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.

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. Furthermore, it is not the role of the committee to make findings or fact about a person who is not a Member of the Oireachtas that could impinge on their good name or reputation. I ask members to be mindful of this in examination of the issues in question.

Today, we are joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied this morning by Ms Mary Henry, deputy director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

This morning we will engage with Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, to examine its financial statements for 2021. We will be speaking with the following representatives of Inland Fisheries Ireland: Mr. Francis O'Donnell, chief executive officer, Ms Suzanne Campion, head of finance and corporate services, Mr. Barry Fox, head of operations, Dr. Cathal Gallagher, head of research and development, and Ms Róisín Bradley, head of human resources. We are also joined by the following official from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr. Denis Maher, principal officer. To begin with, I call on the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, for his opening statement.