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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Verona Murphy, Deputy Catherine Murphy, who may have to leave early, and Deputy Munster. I welcome everyone and 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 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 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 respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that 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 respect of 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 of Standing Order 218 that they 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 Ms Sinéad Keane, audit manager at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. We are engaging with officials from the Department of Justice to examine the following matters: appropriation accounts 2022; Vote 21 - Prisons; and Vote 24 - Justice. The committee has flagged a number of issues, such as the resourcing of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, and the International Protection Office, as areas of interest.

We are joined by the following officials from the Department of Justice: Ms Oonagh McPhillips, Secretary General; Mr. Doncha O'Sullivan, deputy Secretary General; Mr. John O'Callaghan, deputy Secretary General; Mr. Richard Dixon, director of immigration services and chief international protection officer; Ms Caron McCaffrey, director general of the Irish Prison Service; Mr. Derek Caldbeck, director of finance and estates at the Irish Prison Service; and Dr. Emma Regan, director of care and rehabilitation at the Irish Prison Service. We are also joined by Mr. Daniel O'Callaghan, principal officer at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. They are all very welcome. We have a big team appearing before us this morning.

I invite the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. McCarthy, to deliver his opening statement.