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

I ask everybody to please turn off their mobile phones or put them on flight mode before the meeting starts. Apologies have been received from Deputy Niall Collins and Senators Tony Mulcahy and Denis O'Donovan.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a discussion with the Minister for Justice and Equality relating to the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting held on 5 and 6 June 2014. On behalf of the committee I welcome the Minister to this meeting of the committee, together with her officials. As this is the first time she is appearing before the committee in her new role as Minister, on behalf of colleagues I want to congratulate her on her appointment and wish her well. I look forward to working with her in the time ahead.

The format for this session is that we will receive a briefing from the Minister followed by a question and answer session. The briefing has been circulated. I call the Minister.