John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

Everyone is very welcome to today's meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts. Before we proceed, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through. Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 226 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. 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that, in order to participate in public meetings, members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Members of the committee attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House.

The agenda for today is to discuss accounts and statements, correspondence, and upcoming meetings. Six sets of accounts and financial statements were laid between 24 September 2025 and 26 September 2025 and are due to be considered today. The appropriation accounts for 2024 and the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2024 were also published on Tuesday. We are joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee. I will ask him to address these items before I open the floor to members.