Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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This morning we will meet officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarding the appropriation accounts 2018 for Vote 37 - Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the 2018 Social Insurance Fund, and the following chapters from the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General: chapter 12 - regularity of social welfare payments, chapter 13 - timeliness of income support claim processing, and chapter 14 - customer service - development of income support application forms. We are joined from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection by Mr. John McKeon, Secretary General, Ms Jacqui Mc Crum, deputy Secretary General, Ms Kathleen Stack, assistant secretary, and Mr. Jim McDonnell, principal officer. Seated behind are Ms Deirdre Shanley, assistant secretary, Mr. Tim Duggan, assistant secretary, Mr. Ciarán Lawler, principal officer, and Ms Eilis Hamilton, principal officer. We are joined from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by Ms Gráinne McGuckin, principal officer.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to switch off all mobile phones or put them on airplane mode as they can still interfere with the recording system if merely turned to silent.

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 it 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 are 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 refrain from enquiring 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 or policies.

We expect witnesses to answer questions asked by the committee clearly and with candour. They should expect to be treated fairly and with respect at all times in accordance with the witness protocol.