Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's session is to consider a proposal by the Government to opt-in, pursuant to Protocol 21 of the Lisbon Treaty, to a proposal for a directive laying down rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences and repealing Council Decision 642JHA.

I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and his officials here today.

Before we begin I must read the caution to all members, the Minister included. Under the salient rulings of the Chair, members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Again, for the benefit of the Minister and his officials, I ask them to please ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of this session.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.