Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones. I welcome the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. He is accompanied by officials from the Department of Finance, Mr. John McCarthy, Ms Anne-Marie Walsh, Ms Deirdre Donaghy and Mr. Paul Cotter, and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Ronnie Downes and Mr. John Kinnane. I thank the Minister for attending this post-budget scrutiny session. This opportunity to engage with the Minister is an important point in our committee's calendar. We acknowledge the assistance of his officials in the ongoing scrutiny undertaken by our committee. I ask the Minister to begin with his opening statement and then we will have questions from members.