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

As we have a quorum, the meeting is in public session. Apologies have been received from Deputy Dara Murphy.

We are dealing with item No. 1 Supplementary Estimate - Vote 18 [Shared Services], Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Dáil, by order of 26 November 2013, referred Supplementary Estimate - Vote 18 [Shared Services] to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform, pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(c) and (6)(a) and 159(3) for the select sub-committee to report back to the Dáil by no later than 12 December.

I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and his officials. I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.