John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

I welcome Mr. John Conlon, Chairman of the Office of Public Works, OPW, to discuss its appropriation accounts for 2024. He is joined by the following officials from the OPW: Ms Kathryn Whyte, head of organisational capability and corporate services; Mr. Conor Sreenan, State architect and the principal architect; Ms Cathleen Morrison, head of estate management; Ms. Rosemary Collier, head of heritage services and capital works delivery; Mr. Jim Casey, head of flood risk management; and Mr. Robert Mooney, head of planning and climate adaptation.

We are also joined by the following officials from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, who are attending in a representative capacity; Mr. Fionn Jenkinson, principal officer and Mr. Andrew Gray, assistant principal officer. They are welcome.

Finally, we are joined by officials from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, including Mr. Seamus McCarthy, Comptroller and Auditor General who is a permanent witness to the committee, and Ms. Maria Reck, audit manager.

For the witnesses who are attending today, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references that may be made to other persons in 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 that 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 this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue your remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I call the Comptroller and Auditor General to make his opening statement.