Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank members and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar, for participating in today's meeting in line with the exceptional measures we have to take during the Covid-19 pandemic. I remind the committee that apart from me and members of the committee secretariat, all members and witnesses are required to participate remotely and from within the confines of the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Deputy David Stanton.

Today, the select committee is required to consider the Further Revised Estimates for Vote 32 - Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment. I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to the meeting. We appreciate the comprehensive briefing material provided by the Department for today's discussion. It has been circulated to all members.

To give a brief overview of the reason for this meeting, following the formation of the Government in 2020, certain functions were transferred to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment from other Departments, principally the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Social Protection. The gross allocation in the Estimates for the Department in 2021 is €1.142 billion, comprising more than €796 million in capital funding and more than €345 million in current funding. This is some €765 million less than the Department's Estimate allocation in 2020 of €1.907 billion, which included significant once-off amounts for certain measures. The allocation in 2021 represents an increase of some €387 million on the Department's expected core allocation for 2021 of €755 million, taking into account the funding implications of the restructuring to which I referred. The Estimates also provide for a carry-over of €106 million in unspent 2020 capital appropriations for use in 2021. The allocation provides for measures to deal with the ongoing impact of the pandemic and the new trading relationship we have with the UK.

Before we start, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege in the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee.

Members are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defense against any defamation act for anything that they say. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty as Chair to ensure that privilege is not abused. If their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person, persons, or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. I now invite Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to make a brief opening statement or comment on Further Revised Estimate, FRE.