David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. As we are in public session, all mobile telephones should be switched off as they cause interference with the recording equipment even if in silent mode. Before beginning I congratulate the Minister on the inaugural national missing persons day today. I attended the ceremony, which was terrific. On behalf of Deputies I pass on our congratulations to the officials who worked so hard on this and did a great job. It was a really moving and important inaugural event, and I hope it is the first of many events relating to that most important issue. I pass those words to the Minister on behalf of colleagues, and I know Senators would also like to be associated with those remarks. It was amazing.

The meeting has been convened to consider a Supplementary Estimate for Vote 35 - Army Pensions. A Supplementary Estimate for Vote 35 was referred by the Dáil to the committee with an instruction to report back to the Dáil by 12 December. The role of the committee under Standing Orders is to consider the Supplementary Estimate and then report that we have done so by way of a message to the Dáil. I thank the Minister for attending and assisting our consideration of this Supplementary Estimate and the briefing material which has been circulated to members. I propose that the following arrangements apply to the debate. The Minister will address the committee, after which each of the Opposition spokespersons will have the opportunity to respond and we can then have an open discussion. Is that agreed? Agreed. I remind members that in accordance with Standing Order 161, discussion should be confined to the items in the Supplementary Estimate, so they should try not to wander into other areas. I will be quite strict about that, as the last time we had a meeting people wandered far and wide.