Acting Chairman (Deputy Alan Farrell):

I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the proposals for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting by criminal law and replacing Council Framework Decision 2000/383/JHA. The briefing has been circulated to members.

The format of the meeting is that the Minister will give his briefing which will be followed by a question and answer session.

I invite the Minister to brief the committee.