David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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We are here today to deal with chapter 15 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report 2016, which deals with the grant funding of Galway's art house cinema. Although approval for this facility with financial assistance of €8.4 million was obtained in 2007, the cinema opened only in February of last year. We will also be examining the Appropriation Account 2016, Vote 33: Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

We are joined today by officials from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, specifically Ms Katherine Licken, Secretary General; Mr. Feargal O’Coigligh, assistant secretary; Mr. Aodhán Mac Cormaic, director of Irish; Mr. Joe Healy, principal officer; Mr. Terry Allen, principal officer; Mr. Brian Lucas, principal officer; Ms Sharon Barry, assistant principal officer; Mr. John Knightly, assistant principal officer; and Ms Áine Keane, accountant. I welcome all the witnesses. I believe this is Ms Licken's first appearance before the Committee of Public Accounts, and I wish her good luck with that.

We are also joined by officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I welcome Mr. Brian O'Malley, principal officer, and Ms Patricia Balantine, assistant principal.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off or placed in aeroplane mode as they can interfere with the recording of proceedings.

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

Members are reminded of the provisions within 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 policies.

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