Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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The committee is meeting in public session. We have received apologies from Deputy Brophy and Senator Leyden. I remind members and others to switch off their phones. We are honoured to have an engagement today with Mr. Kevin Cardiff from the European Court of Auditors. I welcome Mr. Cardiff on behalf of the committee.

I also welcome his colleagues, in particular Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski, the Polish member of the court, and Mr. Tony Murphy. This is the final time we expect to engage with Mr. Cardiff as his mandate finishes at the end of next month. The committee started having an annual engagement with the European Court of Auditors some time ago and it has proved very useful for us in gaining a deeper understanding of how European money is spent and what issues are emerging. We hope to continue with such annual engagements. As part of the engagement last year, Mr. Cardiff suggested sending us reports issued by the court and arranged for the committee to be put on the mailing list. Members now receive a copy of all such reports in the committee papers, which is a small but useful initiative.

Mr. Murphy was nominated by the Government to replace Mr. Cardiff after an open competition and although he is here today in his current role, we welcome him and hope this is an engagement he is prepared to continue with in the future. Mr. Murphy was last week endorsed by the European Parliament, with 592 MEPs voting to support his nomination and 56 voting against. He won that one. It is now up to the European Council to decide on the appointment. We very much appreciate that the witnesses can engage with us today on the European Court of Auditors' annual report for 2016 and the EU's use of public funds.

Before Mr. Cardiff gives his opening statement, I must remind all present of the rules on privilege in this Parliament. Members are 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses 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 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 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.

I invite Mr. Cardiff to make his opening statement, after which I will ask members for their contributions and questions. I again thank the witnesses for their attendance. It is much appreciated.