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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Heather Humphreys and Arthur Spring.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the motion referred by the Dáil regarding the draft Capital Carryover Order for 2014 re Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2014, copies of which were laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 27 January 2014. The order of referral requires the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform when it has completed its consideration to send a message to that effect to the Dáil not later than 20 February.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brian Hayes and his officials and thank them for assisting in our consideration of the motion. A briefing note has been provided by the Department. If we adhere to a reasonably strict schedule, following the Minister of State's address to the select sub-committee, each of the Opposition spokespersons can respond and an open discussion will follow. I call on the Minister of State to make his opening statement.