John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I accept what Ms Creedon has stated and what was outlined by Mr. Purcell. There is no difficulty in dealing with the general Vote and the other matters separate from chapter 15. I am sure members will agree with that. In the context of chapter 15, the report itself is a public document. The facts are contained in a public document and I am sure that the content of a public document can be discussed to a point. The suggestion to use Standing Order 163 to facilitate a private discussion can be called upon as we deal with the issue. From the point of view of what is contained in the chapter, we can examine it publicly to the point where the witnesses feel it is necessary to go into private session. We can deal with the Vote separately and then deal with chapter 15 and we can decide to go into private session for the parts of the discussion that are sensitive in terms of the case the office is taking. We share the view that we must protect taxpayers' money, whether it is the case that money has been spent with poor efficiency or where the State has been left exposed. The Committee of Public Accounts does not want to do that but we have a job to do.

We will deal with the general Vote first and the chapter thereafter. Mr. Purcell can then intervene and we can go into private session as he wishes.