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

I welcome all those in attendance and remind them 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. 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 it 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 they comply with any such direction.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. 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 they comply with any 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 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.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied this morning by Mr. John Crean, deputy director at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

This morning we are engaging with officials from the Department of Health and representatives of the HSE to examine the following matters: the appropriation accounts for 2022, specifically Vote 38 - health; and from the Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022 - chapter 18, Health Service Executive funding and financial reporting. The committee has flagged the following specific items as being of interest: the establishment of the new regional health areas, RHAs; budget controls, governance and outcomes; agency costs; service level agreements, SLAs, with section 38 and 39 organisations; and estates management and capital works.

This morning we are joined by the following officials from the Department of Health: Mr. Robert Watt, Secretary General, Ms Louise McGirr, assistant secretary; Mr. Derek Tierney, assistant secretary; Mr. Kevin Colman, principal officer; Mr. Patrick McGlynn, principal officer; and Ms Sarah Treleaven, principal officer. We are also joined by the following officials from the Health Service Executive: Mr. Bernard Gloster, chief executive officer; Mr. Stephen Mulvany, chief financial officer; Dr. Colm Henry, chief clinical officer; Mr. David Walsh, national director of community operations; and Mr. Brian O’Connell, acting national director of estates. We are also joined by Mr. Evan Coady, principal officer from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. They are all very welcome.

I call the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.