John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

This morning, we will engage with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs on Migration to examine the 2024 Appropriation Accounts for Vote 21 - Prisons, Vote 24 - Justice and Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, programme E expenditure. The committee will also examine Chapter 9 of the Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022 and Chapters 9 and 10 of the Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2024.

We are joined by the following officials from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Ms Oonagh McPhillips, Secretary General and Accounting Officer; Mr. Doncha O'Sullivan, deputy secretary general; Ms Caron McCaffrey, director general, Irish Prison Service; Mr. Richard Browne, director of the National Cyber Security Centre, NCSC; Mr. David Delaney, assistant secretary; Mr. Neil Ward, assistant secretary; and Ms Fidelma Browne, principal officer.

We are also joined by Mr. Daniel O'Callaghan, principal officer, justice Vote, from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and officials from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, namely the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, a permanent witness to the committee, and Ms Jennifer O'Halloran, audit manager. They are all very welcome.

I wish to 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 who are 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 call on the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.