Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we have a quorum, we shall go into public session. Apologies have been received from Deputies Crowe and Barrett and their substitutes are Deputies Funchion and Durkan.

I welcome all of the members of the select committee to its first meeting of the 32nd Dáil. I look forward to working with all of them in a genuine spirit of partnership and co-operation. I am confident that we will bring our combined skills, experience and commitment to bear on the work ahead. We will make this a highly productive committee that discharges its functions in a efficient, progressive and enlightened way.

I propose that we go into private session to consider the arrangement and format for today's meeting, namely the discussion of the Estimates.