Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This session will deal with chapter 23 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's annual report. The chapter relates to the accounts of the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA. We will also deal with the NTMA's financial statements for 2017, which have been published recently. We are joined today by Mr. Conor O’Kelly, chief executive officer at the NTMA, Mr. Ian Black, chief financial and operating officer at the NTMA, and Mr. Ciarán Breen, director at the State Claims Agency. From the Department of Finance, we are joined by Mr. Eoin Dorgan and Ms Orlagh Collison.

I ask all present to turn off their mobile phones or put them on aeroplane mode. Merely placing phones in silent mode means that they can still interfere with the recording system.

I advise witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter to only 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members of the committee are reminded of the provisions of Standing Order 186 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.

While we expect witnesses to answer questions put to them by the committee clearly and with candour, they can and should expect to be treated fairly and with respect and consideration at all times, in accordance with the witness protocol. I call Mr. McCarthy.