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

We have received apologies from Deputies Cormac Devlin and Marc Ó Cathasaigh. We are joined today by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee. Members are reminded of the provision in Standing Order 218 to the effect 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 or 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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

There have been some changes. We are down a couple of people. On behalf of the committee, I congratulate Deputy Alan Dillon, who is in the Chamber taking questions at the moment in his new position as a Minister of State, and Deputy Colm Burke, who has also been appointed as a Minister of State. I thank them for their contributions as members of the committee and wish them well in their new roles. They were two diligent members of the committee and made significant contributions during their four years on it. I ask that notes wishing them well be send to the Deputies on behalf of the committee. Do any other members wish to comment on this matter?