Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have received apologies from Deputy Catherine Murphy. The witnesses are all very welcome. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off.

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. This means that witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure that it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the provisions of 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.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied this morning by Ms Paula O'Connor, deputy director of audit at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

This morning, we are engaging with officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to examine the following matters: Vote 45 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Financial Statements 2022 - National Training Fund and Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022 - Chapter 19: National Training Fund. We are joined by a number of officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. They are Dr. Colm O'Reardon, Secretary General, Mr. William Beausang, assistant secretary general, Mr. Keith Moynes, assistant secretary general, Dr. Deirdre Lillis, assistant secretary general, Mr. Paul Lemass, assistant secretary general, and Ms Valerie Considine, principal officer. We are also joined by Ms Georgina Hughes-Elders, principal officer at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. All the witnesses are very welcome.

Before I call on Mr. McCarthy, I acknowledge this is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. There was an event on Tuesday to mark that. Some of us were in attendance. It was a very enjoyable event. I want to publicly acknowledge the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General's office over the past 100 years. Members of the committee across the board will agree the service provided is invaluable. The fact it is there means people who are handling public money are cautious with it. The level of scrutiny and detail carried out by Mr. McCarthy's office and their diligent work is something I have got to see in the past three and a half years. I wanted to acknowledge that publicly and thank him, Ms O'Connor and all the staff at the office. I ask Mr. McCarthy to make his opening statement.