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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Ciarán Cannon, Imelda Munster, John Brady and Verona Murphy. I welcome the witnesses. I would remind all those in attendance to ensure that 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, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if a witness's statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply.

Members and witnesses are 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. Members are also 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.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied this morning by Ms Maria Reck, audit manager at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

This morning we will engage with representatives from the Office of Public Works to examine: the Appropriation Accounts 2022, Vote 13 – Office of Public Works. Areas of interest that have been flagged include the national children's science museum project, flood relief schemes, vacant property in the OPW portfolio, modular homes for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection and non-compliant procurement.

We are joined by the following representatives from the Office of Public Works. Mr. John Conlon is cathaoirleach. It is Mr. Conlon's first visit to the Committee of Public Accounts and I welcome him. He took over in April, I believe, from Mr. Maurice Buckley. Mr. Conlon is joined by Mr. Jim Casey, head of flood risk management; Mr. Pat Fitzsimons, head of corporate services; Mr. Ciaran O'Connor, State architect; Ms Rosemary Collier, head of heritage services; and Ms Cathleen Morrison, head of estate management.

We are also joined by Mr. David Delaney, assistant secretary at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Ms Paula Quinn, principal officer at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and Ms Ciara Morgan from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. They are all very welcome.

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