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

All mobile telephones should be switched off as they cause interference with the recording system, even in silent mode. This meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimates for Vote 20 - Garda Síochána, Vote 21 - Prisons and Vote 22 - Courts Service. I propose that the committee considers the Supplementary Estimates together.

I thank the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald and her officials for attending this meeting. I also thank them for the briefing material circulated in advance to members of the committee.

I propose that the following arrangements apply to the debate. The Minister will address the committee and after that each of the Opposition spokespersons will have the opportunity to respond.

I propose that the Minister address the committee, after which each Opposition spokesperson will have an opportunity to respond. We will take each subhead in succession, as we did on the last occasion. That worked extremely well and nothing fell through the cracks, as it were. In accordance with Standing Orders, the discussion should be confined to the items constituting the Supplementary Estimates. If we are discussing a subhead, members should confine themselves to it. As we will go through each subhead, we will not omit anything. I invite the Minister to make her opening statement.