Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste and look forward to working with him. This is a new committee from my perspective. The material we received was prepared by the Department in July 2012. What was the expenditure profile of the Department at the end of September? If there is an underspend in some areas it would help us in trying to assess where it might be possible to make savings. We can come back to the issue later if the Tánaiste prefers.

With regard to promoting Ireland's economic and trade interests, when the trade remit was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the time of the Minister's appointment, did extra resources come with it? We all realise the importance of trade and export opportunities. I commend those responsible for all the work that has taken place in this regard. The work falls under the remit of a number of Departments.

The World Trade Organisation comprises a very important issue for us. Could the Tánaiste update us on it? The issue was discussed briefly at a recent meeting of the committee. Are there signs of a return to a plenary session?