John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are in silent mode or switched off. The committee has elected Deputy McAuliffe as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I congratulate the Deputy and look forward to working closely with him over the course of our important work ahead.

I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references 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 both to 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 that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory regarding 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 criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The Comptroller and Auditor General is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied today by Ms Paula O'Connor, deputy director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This morning, we will engage with representatives from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to examine its financial statements from 2023. We are joined by the following representatives from the board: Mr. David Gunning, chief executive officer; Mr. Phelim Devine, project director; and Dr. Emma Curtis, medical director. We will also engage with representatives from Children's Health Ireland to examine its financial statements from 2023. We are joined by the following representatives from Children's Health Ireland: Ms Lucy Nugent, chief executive officer; Mr. John Fitzpatrick, interim chief financial officer; Ms Julia Lewis, transformation director; and Dr. Ike Okafor, clinical director.

We are also joined by the following officials from the Department of Health: Ms Tracey Conroy, assistant secretary, acute hospitals oversight and performance; and Mr. Derek Tierney, assistant secretary, health infrastructure. From the HSE we have Mr. Patrick Lynch, national director of planning and performance. All the witnesses are very welcome.

Before I call on the Comptroller and Auditor General for his opening statement, I would like to a make a comment regarding the briefing material provided for this meeting. Last October, the previous Committee of Public Accounts expressed disappointment and concern when a meeting with Children's Health Ireland, CHI, and the the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, NPHDB, due to be held on 7 November could not proceed because the accountable persons for both organisations were unavailable. My welcome to them this morning is a belated one. In its invitations to both CHI and NPHDB to attend this meeting, the committee requested that briefing material be provided by end of business on Friday last, 16 May. Some documents were received on Friday but some briefing material was only provided late on Tuesday. Similarly, there was a request that opening statements be provided at least 48 hours before this morning's engagement. One of the statements arrived less than 24 hours before the meeting and the other arrived on Tuesday evening. It is the expectation of this committee that witnesses provide comprehensive briefing material and opening statements in good time in order that Members have time to analyse them before meetings. Not doing so is unacceptable and disrespectful to the committee. As we will hear this morning, deadlines are really important. As representatives of their organisations, I expect the witnesses know the importance of deadlines. This committee does not have a lax relationship with deadlines. I wanted to make that point.

I call the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.