Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not see any difficulty. That is fine. The Deputy has no issue. I will accommodate members and I assure Deputy Farrell that she will be fully accommodated by the committee.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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 in any way identifiable. I remind members and our guests to turn off mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the sound system. I think the Minister has probably just turned on his phone after a very substantial flight mode. We do not want any interference with our sound system.

I invite him to make his opening statement.