Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, Deputy Noonan, for attending today's meeting, which serves two purposes. Before we move on to Committee Stage of the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015, we must consider a motion that, like the aforementioned Bill, was referred to this committee by the Dáil on 22 October 2015. The motion agreed by the Dáil on that date states:

That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Transfer and Mutualisation of Contributions to the Single Resolution Fund as required under Article 29.5.2° of the Constitution, signed at Brussels on 21 May 2014, a copy which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 9 October 2015, be referred to the Select Sub-committee on Finance, in accordance with Standing Order 82A(3)(b) and (6)(a), which, not later than 10 November 2015, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 87, and Standing Order 86(2) shall accordingly apply.

I welcome the Minister for Finance and his officials to this meeting. I invite the Minister to make an opening statement.