Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank members for their patience.

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 her or him identifiable. I would like to remind members again of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in the public meeting. I will not permit a member to attend where he or she is not adhering to that constitutional requirement.

I also ask members to please identify themselves when contributing for the benefit of the Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report and to please mute their microphones when not contributing in order to reduce the background noise and feedback or, better again, switch them off. I remind members to please use the raise hand button when they want to make a contribution and I remind all of those joining today's meeting to ensure that their mobiles are switched off. I invite the Minister of State to make his opening statement, which will be limited to five minutes.