Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Garvey.

Members who participate in the meeting remotely are required to do so from within the Leinster House precincts only. I welcome the witnesses. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action in respect of anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure this privilege 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 either 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 the person or entity.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The committee will now consider the Public Service Performance Report with officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development. The 2016 OECD review of budgetary oversight by the Parliament of Ireland highlighted the requirement to provide enhanced performance information to support the Oireachtas in assessing the outputs and outcomes from public expenditure. The intention of the report is to enhance the provision of information on the performance of public expenditure and the delivery of public services in a dedicated focused document. This report supports the work of the Oireachtas sectoral committees in assessing outputs and outcomes derived from public expenditure. It is a key step in assessing the value for money from existing expenditure programmes on an annual basis and is in line with the spending review process. Performance-based budgeting aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditure by linking the funding of the public sector organisations to the results they deliver, making systematic use of performance information.

I welcome to the meeting from the Department of Rural and Community Development Mr. Kenneth Jordan, assistant Secretary General; Ms Aisling Penrose, principal officer in the finance and evaluation unit; Mr. John Orme, assistant principal officer in the finance and evaluation unit; and Mr. Kieran Moylan, principal officer in the libraries development and community policy unit. They are all very welcome this morning. I invite Mr. Jordan to make his opening statement.