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

We have received apologies from Deputy John Brady. Everyone is very welcome. I 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 practice of the Houses as regards references the 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 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply.

Members are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 218 that the committee shall refrain from enquiring 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.

This morning we are engaging with officials from An Garda Síochána to examine the appropriation accounts for 2022, specifically Vote 20 – An Garda Síochána. Areas of interest include staffing and recruitment, the policing of public order incidents, community policing, spend and budgets per regional division and the PULSE system. We are joined by the following representatives from An Garda Síochána: Mr. Drew Harris, Garda Commissioner; Ms Shawna Coxon, deputy commissioner with responsibility for strategy, governance and performance; Ms Eimear Bourke, acting executive director of finance and services; Ms Yvonne Cooke, acting executive director of human resources and people development; and Mr. Andrew O’Sullivan, chief information officer. We are also joined by Ms Sarah Kennelly, principal officer in the Department of Justice, and Mr. Daniel O’Callaghan, principal officer in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. They are all very welcome.

To begin, I call on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.