Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Coppinger; Deputy Mick Barry will substitute for her. Apologies have been received from Deputy Fergus O'Dowd.

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode depending on their device. It is not sufficient to just put phones on silent as it will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

No. 1 on the agenda is the update on Rebuilding Ireland. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and his officials, Ms Mary Hurley, Mr. John McCarthy and Mr. David Walsh. The Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, will join us shortly.

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 call on the Minister, Deputy Murphy, to make his opening statement.