Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are all very welcome. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode. To start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regard references 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 by statute, by absolute privilege. This means they 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 that is not abused. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with such directions.

Members and witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses of the Oireachtas or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also ask that members and witnesses refrain from commenting on matters that may be the subject of live criminal investigations. Members are reminded of the provision 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 or the objectives of such policies. Furthermore, it is not the role of this committee to make findings of fact about a person who is not a Member of the Oireachtas that could impinge on their good name and reputation and I ask members to be mindful of this in their examination of the issues during questioning.

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

We are engaging this morning with representatives from the University of Limerick to examine the following matters: financial statements 2021 and 2022 and the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report No. 117 - University of Limerick property acquisitions in Limerick city. Specific areas of interest flagged by this committee include governance and associated due diligence and the university's purchase of the Limerick city centre site in 2019 and houses for student accommodation at Rhebogue in Limerick in 2023.

We are joined by the following representatives from University of Limerick: Professor Brigid Laffan, chancellor; Professor Shane Kilcommins, acting president; Mr. John Kelly, corporate secretary; and Mr. John Field, acting chief finance and performance officer. We are also joined by the following representatives from the Higher Education Authority: Dr. Alan Wall, chief executive officer, and Mr. Ciarán McCaffrey, head of capital funding, and from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Mr. Paul Lemass, assistant secretary, and Mr. Keith Moynes, assistant secretary. They are all very welcome.

I call on the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, to deliver his opening statement.