Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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We are now resuming in public session. We are here to examine the Comptroller and Auditor General's Special Report No. 96 in respect of the cost of child abuse inquiry and redress. In the session following this one, we will be examining the financial statements of Caranua, which is an independent State body set up to help people who experience abuse in residential institutions in Ireland and have received settlements, redress board or court awards. For now, we are joined from the Department of Education and Skills by Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General, Mr. Dalton Tattan, assistant secretary, Mr. Martin Hanevy, assistant secretary, Ms Catherine Hynes, residential institutions redress unit and Ms Mary Cregg, planning and building unit. From the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, I welcome Ms Marie Mulvihill. I remind witnesses, members and those in the Visitors Gallery to switch off their mobile phones entirely or put them on airplane mode as they interfere with the recording system.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact 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. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 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 are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 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 of the objectives of such policy. They are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

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