John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Item No. 7 on the agenda is the 2011 annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and appropriation accounts, Vote 13, Office of the Chief State Solicitor, Vote 19, Justice and Equality, and Chapter 15, lease of accommodation for a Probation Service project.

Before we begin I ask members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off all mobile phones as they interfere with the sound quality and transmission of the proceedings.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and the witness continues to so do, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses 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 nor make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against 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 163 that the committee shall refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of the Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I welcome Mr. Brian Purcell, Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, and invite him to introduce his officials.