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

Before we begin, I remind members and guests to turn off their mobile phones or leave them in airplane mode as, otherwise, they will interfere with the sound system.

This meeting has been convened to consider Supplementary Estimates for Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána, and Vote 21 - Prisons. I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and her officials who will assist us in our consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. I thank them for the briefing material they supplied in advance of the meeting. Based on that information, the committee secretariat prepared a briefing document that was circulated to members and the Minister. Is it agreed that we follow the structure of the briefing document? Agreed.

I remind members that, in accordance with Standing Orders, the discussion should be confined to the items which constitute the Supplementary Estimates. If we follow the money rather than going into policy stuff, we will get the job done a lot faster. I invite the Minister to make her opening statement.