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

I wish to advise members that they must turn off their mobile telephones as they interfere with the broadcast system.

This meeting has been convened to allow the select sub-committee to consider Votes 33 and 34, the Revised Estimates for the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and the National Gallery of Ireland. The Revised Estimates and a list of suggested questions from the committee secretariat have been circulated to members. I hope they have had an opportunity to peruse them as it will prove beneficial in their engagement with the Ministers.

I welcome the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, and the Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Dinny McGinley. I also welcome the officials from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, An t-Uasal Niall Ó Donnchú, Ms Máire Killoran, an t-Uasal Brian Ó Raghallaigh, an t-Uasal Feargal Ó Coigligh and Mr. Trevor Donnelly. I thank them for their attendance.

I call on the Minister to address the committee.