Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are back in public session and will deal with item No. 8 on our agenda, which is the 2013 allocations for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Vote. I welcome the Minister for Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin. I advise members that a briefing paper has been prepared as part of today's presentation. I also remind Members, witnesses and those in the Visitors' Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off. Members, including the Minister, are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I welcome the Minister here, as part of the new budgetary process which involves presenting information to Oireachtas committees in advance of the budget in December.