Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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Today's meeting deals with the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report 2016, chapter 16 regarding the regularity of social welfare payments, chapter 17 on the management of social welfare overpayments, chapter 18 the Department's review of welfare schemes and matters relating to social welfare appeals process and the social insurance fund, and the Vote insofar as it relates to these items.

We are joined by Mr. John McKeon, Secretary General, Ms Anne Vaughan, Deputy Secretary General, Ms Kathleen Stack, Ms Helen Faughnan, Mr. Jim McDonnell, and Ms Joan Gordon from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. We are also joined by Ms Gráinne McGuckin from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to switch off their phones. They must go on airplane mode because if they are only put on silent they can still interfere with the recordings of proceedings.

I advise the witness that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this 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 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 nor 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 No. 186 to the effect that the committee should refrain from inquiring into the merits of a policy or policies of Government or a Minister of the Government or the merits of the objectives of such policies.

I call on Mr. Andy Harkness to give the opening statement from the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office.