Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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We are now dealing with Vote 34 - Environment, Community and Local Government. We are also dealing with the Comptroller and Auditor General report 2105, chapter 4 regarding central funding to local authorities and chapter 5, progress on land aggregation.

From the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government we are joined by Mr. John McCarthy, Secretary General; Ms Maria Graham, assistant secretary; Ms Mary Hurley, assistant secretary; Ms Lorraine O’Donoghue, principal officer; Mr. Barry Quinlan, principal officer; Mr. Kevin O’Donoghue, principal officer; Ms Finola Moylette, principal officer; and Mr. Barry Ryan, finance officer. We are also joined by Mr. Tom Heffernan from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones completely.

I wish to advise the witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of that evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members of the committee are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 to the effect 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 a policy. Finally, members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect 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.

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