Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome members and the television viewers who are looking in. The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the recently published Public Service Performance Report 2021. From the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, we are joined by Ms Caroline O'Loughlin, assistant principal, performance budgeting unit; Mr. Ed Hearne, principal officer; and Ms Monika Mura. They are all from a good stable and they are very welcome. The format is that Ms O'Loughlin will make some brief opening remarks and this will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the members. Is that agreed? Agreed. That is the first item on which we have agreed today, one of many, no doubt.

The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected for privilege purposes. Witnesses attending remotely from outside the parliamentary campus may be made aware that full privilege may not apply. They are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice on naming identifiable people outside the House who are not in a position to participate in the meeting. We have to protect good name of the person or entity.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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. I remind members attending remotely of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place within which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in the public meetings.

I invite Ms O'Loughlin to make her opening remarks.