Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to consider a further Revised Estimate for 2017 for the Department of Rural and Community Development, Vote 42, in the amount of €146,742,000 to meet the expenses of the Office of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, including certain services.

In the absence of Deputy Joe Carey, I am stepping in as Acting Chairman. I welcome the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, and his Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, and their officials. As this is the first meeting of the committee, I convey our best wishes to the Minister and the Minister of State in their challenging roles. We look forward to the committee engaging productively and proactively with the Minister in the period ahead.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the select committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and any other documents that have been submitted to the committee will be published on its website after the meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister, Deputy Ring to make his presentation.