James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish the committee, the Minister, Deputy McEntee and her officials, our secretariat and anybody observing a good afternoon. I do not know if we received any apologies. Deputy Costello has indicated that he is juggling with another meeting and he may try to join us in between, as best he can. We have a couple of people attending virtually and we have a couple of people attending in person.

The meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimates for Vote 20 - Garda Síochána; Vote 21 - Prisons; Vote 22 - Courts Service; Vote 24 - Justice; Vote 41 - Policing Authority; and Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission.

I thank the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee and her officials for attending and assisting our consideration of these Revised Estimates and for the provision of information in advance.

I would propose, as per the usual procedure in these sessions, the Minister makes an opening statement, after which I will ask members to come in. We will take each Vote in order. We will take each Vote and subhead under it, take questions on those, complete that as a block and then move on to the next subhead. Therefore, we will be taking it in a thematic fashion. If the Minister or other members wish to make closing remarks, they are welcome to do so. Is that format agreed? Agreed.

In accordance with Standing Orders, members would be aware at this stage, the discussion should be confined to the Estimates only. Please do not veer onto wider matters. There will be many opportunities throughout the year to do that.

All members are aware of parliamentary privilege and parliamentary practice at this stage.

I welcome the Minister to the committee and invite her to make an opening remarks.