John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

This morning, we will engage with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to discuss its 2024 financial statements. We are joined by the following representatives from Tusla: Ms Kate Duggan, chief executive officer; Mr. Pat Smyth, national director for finance and corporate services; Ms Pamela Benson, head of legal services; Ms Rosarii Mannion, national director for people and change; and Mr. Gerry Hone, interim national director for services and integration.

We are also joined by the following officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality: Ms Lara Hynes, assistant secretary, child policy Tusla governance division; and Mr. Andrew Patterson, principal officer, Tusla governance and performance oversight unit.

We are joined by officials from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, including the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee, and Mr. John Crean, deputy director at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. You are all very welcome.

I also wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards any reference you may make to other persons in your evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who will give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. This means that you have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything you say at the meeting. However, you are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, you will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that you comply with any such direction.

Witnesses are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that you 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 your statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, you will be directed to discontinue your remarks and it is imperative that you comply with any such direction.

I will now call on the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, for his opening statement.