Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind all those in attendance to ensure their phones are on silent or switched off. Apologies have been received from the Cathaoirleach and Deputies Kenny and Neville.

Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters. I remind members of the constitutional requirements that to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members are also reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 226 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 further reminded of the long-standing practice and ruling of the Cathaoirleach to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way to make him or her identifiable.

We will now examine the accounts and statements, correspondence and consider the work programme report 2025. We will then suspend and resume at 10:30 a.m. for engagement with representatives of the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Seventeen sets of accounts and financial statements, which were laid between 7 and 14 July 2025, are due to be considered today. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee and is in attendance again today. I ask him to address those accounts before I open the floor to members.