Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a quorum. This meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimate, Vote 31 - Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I remind members that these are supplementary rather than the totality of the Estimates. I request that all mobile telephones be switched off.

I thank the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and his officials for assisting us in our consideration of the Supplementary Estimate for 2015. Perhaps we could agree to take the Supplementary Estimate on a subhead by subhead basis. Is that agreed? Agreed. An indicative timetable for the meeting has been provided. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I remind members that they are only considering the Supplementary Estimate and that while they may discuss issues relevant to the individual subheads they may not recommend increases or decreases in the Supplementary Estimate and there are no votes. As the members of the committee have received a briefing prepared by the Department and by the committee secretariat and as our time is limited I invite the Minister to make his opening statement which will explain the context of the Supplementary Estimate.