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Deputy Simon Harris:   That is grand.
Chairman: At last week's meeting we referred to some of the institutes - Cork, Tallaght, etc. - about which we had received correspondence. I am of the view that we should examine the position in respect of those institutions in the context of the information we have received to establish whether we should discuss them, how they are funded, how the money is spent and how matters are dealt with at that level. It would be of assistance if we could establish a picture as to what is happening. We could examine the position with regard to Cork and the other institutes mentioned in the context of whether it would be necessary for us to consider their accounts in conjunction with the Comptroller and Auditor General. We can factor that into our work programme, with which we are about to deal.
Deputy Harris referred to St. Vincent's and St. Michael's. We have already agreed to invite representatives from St. Michael's to come before us and we are arranging to factor in a meeting in that regard into our work schedule. We have a great deal to do in the next two weeks and by the time the process relating to the section 38 organisations is concluded, we will be able to proceed. We have agreed to bring in representatives from St. Michael's, St. Vincent's and the National Maternity Hospital. I would like this matter to be included in our work programme at the earliest possible opportunity in order that we can conclude our deliberations on the section 38 and section 39 organisations.
Deputy Simon Harris: Perhaps before Easter, if possible.
Clerk to the Committee: That might be possible.
Chairman: As stated on the previous occasion, we can sit on another day, if necessary, so that we might conclude our work within the required timeframe. When we have concluded our deliberations on the section 38 and section 39 organisations, we will be obliged to compile a report and lay it before the Dáil.
Deputy Eoghan Murphy: In the context of the sub-committee looking into NAMA, is there any update on our day trip?
Chairman: Mr. Daly is abroad on business. We are waiting for him to return so that we might set a date for that. We will make the visit as soon as possible. We informed him that Thursdays are the only days on which we are not available.
On correspondence and in the context of a matter in which Deputy Eoghan Murphy is interested, we have requested the reports on Poolbeg for the information of members. We have asked for the manager's report and any other reports that have been compiled.
Clerk to the Committee: I have requested them from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Chairman: Perhaps the clerk will tell the Department we want them urgently.
Clerk to the Committee: I will.
Deputy Eoghan Murphy: These reports were discussed by Dublin City Council last week. They should be made available to us. The latest update I have seen from the city manager is quite damning in respect of what is happening at present. Some €620,000 will be spent between now and June. We do not know on what this will be spent, only that it will be spent. Work on the construction of the incinerator has still not commenced. Most people are sure that it is not going to be built. I have no idea, therefore, why the city council continues to spend money. It is incredible that no one can put the brakes on in respect of this matter.
Chairman: The Deputy expressed concerns about this matter previously. Other members are of the same view as him. Public money is involved and this is an issue of public concern. We have formally requested that the reports in question be furnished to us. I am of the view that those responsible should comply with our request immediately. Thereafter, the committee can decide what it intends to do in the context of inviting in witnesses to discuss this matter. I think we are being reasonable.
We wrote to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government inquiring as to what it intends to do in respect of the Tipperary hostel project. Did we receive a response?
Clerk to the Committee: We did not receive a full response.
Chairman: We should remind the Department that we want to get our business done.
In the context of our agenda for next week, we will be meeting officials from the Department of Justice and Equality to discuss the 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Vote 24 - Justice and Equality - and Chapter 9 - State Pathology Building Project. Is that agreed?
Deputy Robert Dowds: What time are witnesses expected to be present on days on which they are required to give evidence?
Chairman: It depends on the day. If we know we are going to go into private session, we inform them of that fact. We also inform them in advance if, for whatever reason, there is going to be a delay. We try not to keep witnesses waiting.
Deputy Robert Dowds: If we use today as an example, the witness were probably told to be in attendance at 10 a.m. and it is now 11.35 a.m.
Chairman: They were told to be present from approximately 11 a.m. onwards.
Deputy Robert Dowds: I wish to make a suggestion. If the committee is going to be in session for an extended period on any given day, there should be a break of one hour for lunch. Would it be possible to do that?
Chairman: No. People can bring sandwiches and flasks.
Deputy Eoghan Murphy: A request has been put forward by one of the other committees that witnesses should be given a 15-minute break every two hours. This is a matter we should consider in light of the seven-hour session in which we engaged last week.
Chairman: We considered it last week and we considered it when the Garda Commissioner came before us. We had a break last week.
Deputy Eoghan Murphy: We should bear the matter in mind.
Chairman: I bear it in mind every week. I am very fair to all of the witnesses who come before us and I am very concerned about their needs.
2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade
Chapter 13 - Official Development Assistance
Mr. David Cooney (Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) called and examined.
Chairman: I ask members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because they interfere with the sound equipment and the transmission of proceedings. Following last week's meeting, complaints were again received from those responsible for broadcasting proceedings and people who viewed those proceedings to the effect that there was bad interference on sound from mobile phones.
I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they will be entitled thereafter only to a 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 nor make charges against a Member of either House, a person outside the Houses, or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind Members of the provision within Standing Order 163 that the committee shall also 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.
I welcome Mr. David Cooney, Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and ask him to introduce his officials.
Mr. David Cooney: With me are Mr. Joe Nugent, head of passport services, Mr. John Conlan, our new chief financial officer - I wish to express my gratitude to the committee for its support in respect of this appointment-----
Chairman: Mr. Cooney is setting a great example.
Mr. David Cooney: -----Mr. Fergal Mythen, head of corporate services, Mr. Brendan Rogers, Deputy Secretary General and head of Irish Aid, Mr. William Carlos, head of our evaluation and audit unit, and Mr. Dermot Quigley, from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Chairman: I now ask that the Comptroller and Auditor General deliver his opening statement.
Mr. Seamus McCarthy: The key areas of responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade include foreign policy advice and co-ordination, promotion of Ireland's economic interests abroad, management of the country's development aid programme and the provision of passport and consular services for Irish citizens. The activities and running costs of the Department are funded under Vote 27 and Vote 28.
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