John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

This morning, we will engage with the National Treatment Purchase Fund to discuss its 2024 financial statements, and with Beaumont Hospital to discuss its 2023 financial statements. We are joined by the following representatives from the National Treatment Purchase Fund: Ms Fiona Brady, chief executive officer; Mr. Seán Flood, director of finance; Mr. Eoin Darcy, director of ICT; Ms Bernadette Weir, director of commissioning; and Ms Rebecca Maher, head of operations commissioning. We are also joined by the following representatives from Beaumont Hospital: Ms Anne Coyle, chief executive officer; Mr. David Sweeney, deputy chief executive; Mr. Francis Hanlon, director of finance; and Mr. Mark Graham, director of ICT.

We have received apologies from Deputies Boland, Geoghegan and Connolly.

We are joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee, and Mr. Mark Scully, audit manager at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. They are very welcome.

I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards reference 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 to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. This means they 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 it is not abused. Therefore, if witnesses' 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 also 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 in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I now call the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, to make his opening statement.