Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Richard Bruton. This meeting has been convened to consider Supplementary Estimate for Vote 29. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ossian Smyth, and his officials to the meeting.

Members of the committee are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex, and in this regard I ask all members, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. I remind members that, in accordance with Standing Orders, discussions should be confined to the items constituting the Supplementary Estimates. I now call the Minister of State to make his opening statement and we will then have questions and answers.