Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This meeting has been convened to allow the Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider the Revised Estimate for Vote 25 - Environment, Community and Local Government. I have received apologies from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, who is unable to be present. I welcome the Ministers of State at his Department, Deputies Jan O'Sullivan and Fergus O'Dowd. I also welcome the officials from the Department, Ms Geraldine Tallon, Secretary General; Mr. Ger Deering, assistant secretary in the finance and central services division; Mr. Michael Layde, assistant secretary in the housing division; Ms Mary Moran, assistant secretary to the Secretary General; Mr. Maurice Coughlan, principal officer and finance officer; Ms Maria Graham, principal officer in the water services division; Mr. Colm Lavery, principal officer in the local government finance division, and Mr. Brendan Mahon, assistant principal officer in the departmental finance and accounts division. I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to make her opening statement.