Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a mobile phone notice, which we have read often enough. Everybody is familiar with it now so I will not go through it again and just remind people. If people are not seated in front of a microphone then any contribution will not be recorded. For the meeting I will indicate the speakers for broadcasting purposes and relay. I welcome members and the viewers who may be listening or watching proceedings on Oireachtas TV to the public session of the select committee.

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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Parliamentary privilege is considered to apply to the utterances of members participating online in a committee meeting when their participation is from within the parliamentary precincts. For this purpose, the parliamentary precincts are considered to be the accommodation assigned to the member in the Leinster House complex or its vicinity, or another location in Leinster House or Leinster House 2000. I ask members to note that they may participate remotely in proceedings held in public only from the locations listed earlier as privilege to their utterances only applies when participating from these locations.

The Dáil has decided that the Supplementary Estimate for Public Services in respect of Vote 6 be referred to this committee for consideration. On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Jack Chambers, and his officials. Briefing documents have been provided by the Department for circulation in advance. The meeting format is that the Minister of State will given an overview of the Supplementary Estimate and then the floor will then be open to questions from members.

I now invite him to make his opening statement.