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

I understand that the Minister must depart at 5.10 p.m. or 5.15 p.m. I welcome him and his officials before the committee this afternoon. The format of the meeting is that the Minister will make some opening remarks which we will follow with a question and answer session. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off. Members are reminded of the long-standing rule of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or a official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite the Minister to make his opening statement, following which we will have the question and answer session.