The first item on the agenda is the nomination and election of a Chairman. I invite nominations in that regard.
Election of Chairman.
Clerk to the Committee
I nominate Deputy Bernard Allen.
Clerk to the Committee
As there are no other nominations, I deem Deputy Bernard Allen to be elected Chairman and call on him to take the Chair.
Deputy Bernard Allen took the Chair.
I thank my colleagues for nominating me and the committee for returning me unopposed. As members are aware, Standing Order 158 of Dáil Éireann sets out the role and functions of the Committee of Public Accounts which are to examine and report to the Dáil the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by the Dáil to meet the public expenditure and such other accounts as they see fit which are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and presented to the Dáil, together with any reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon. In addition, the Committee of Public Accounts is appointed to examine and report on the Comptroller and Auditor General's reports on his or her examinations of economy, efficiency, effectiveness evaluation systems, procedures and practices, and on any other reports carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General under the Act.
I welcome members, especially those who are new to the committee and to the Oireachtas. I look forward to working with you all in a spirit of partnership and co-operation. Differences arise between and within parties but the tradition of this committee is to try to stick together and do the job in the interests of the people who put us here - the electorate and the taxpayer.