John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We turn now to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and appropriation accounts for 2011: Vote 26 - Education and Skills, review of allowances. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors' Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because the interference causes difficulty with the transmission of the meeting. That interference was particularly noticeable yesterday. Yesterday, we had an ongoing issue with the transmission of the meeting due to mobile phones. We were getting messages from the media telling us that they could not reproduce for transmission what was going on here. Those who are looking at these hearings find it difficult to use the material afterwards because of the interference caused by mobile phones.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the House or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 158 that the committee shall also refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits or the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General at the Department of Education and Skills, and invite him to introduce his officials.