Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Apologies have been received from Deputies Paul McAuliffe, Verona Murphy and Alan Dillon who are tied up in other parliamentary duties. I welcome you all. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practice of the Houses as regards reference witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. As the witnesses are within the precincts of Leinster House, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means that the witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, witnesses are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if the witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the provisions within Standing Order 218 that the committee shall 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. Members are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice 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.

Today, we are joined by Ms Colette Drinan, secretary and director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, who is deputising for the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee. Ms Drinan is accompanied by Mr. Leonard McKeown, deputy director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

This morning we will engage with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to examine the following: Appropriation Accounts 2021, Vote 33 – Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the 2021 Report on the Accounts of the Public Services, Chapter 4, Re-allocation of Voted Funding.

We are joined by the following representatives from the Department: Ms Katherine Licken, Secretary General; Mr. Cian Ó Lionáin, assistant secretary, tourism and sport; Mr. Conor Falvey, assistant secretary, arts and culture; Dr. Aodhán Mac Cormaic, stiúrthóir na Gaeilge; Ms Tríona Quill, assistant secretary, broadcasting and media; and Mr. Joe Healy, acting assistant secretary, corporate affairs. We are also joined by the following official from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform: Mr. Dermot Nolan, principal officer. I welcome you all.

I call on Ms Colette Drinan, secretary and director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, to make her opening statement.