Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of today’s meeting is to meet the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to discuss the steps involved from concept to commission of large-scale capital projects. He is the first witness before this committee, and, inevitably, we will have a lot to do with his Department in the work of this committee. I am pleased to welcome Mr. David Moloney, Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Mr. Kevin Meaney, principal officer; Ms Jenny Connors, principal officer, housing Vote; Mr. Ken Cleary, principal officer, infrastructure delivery; and Ms Kate Ivory, principal officer, transport and agriculture Vote.

Witnesses are reminded 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 or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction.

I invite Mr. Moloney to make his opening statement.