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

I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, will not be with us until approximately 3.30 p.m., but that should not inhibit in any way our consideration of the Estimate. The Dáil ordered that the Revised Estimates for public services in respect of Vote 27 - international co-operation and Vote 28 - foreign affairs be referred to this committee for consideration. I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Deputy Coveney. I thank him for being with us at this especially busy time for all of us but especially the Minister and his officials.

On behalf of the committee, I thank the officials and the Department for the comprehensive briefing we received in advance of this meeting. We will deal with Vote 28 under the relevant programmes and then deal with Vote 27. Members will recall from the last evening that it may be better to go through the headings swiftly rather than have a free-for-all. We will go through programmes A, B and C individually, insofar as we can.

I invite the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to give an overview of Vote 28 and outline any pressures likely to impact on the Department's performance or expenditure with regard to the Vote for the remainder of this year. I will then open the floor to questions from members of the committee on each of the programmes.

Due to the importance of our engagement and the value of time, I ask members to put direct questions on specific programmes, rather than make observations or general statements which may be more appropriate for a plenary session of the Dáil. I ask members to be conscious of time constraints. When we have completed consideration of Vote 28, we will proceed to Vote 27 with the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. We can deal with that when he comes.

I reiterate the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the House or an official either by name or in a way that makes that person identifiable. I remind members and witnesses to switch off mobile phones.

It gives me great pleasure to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, to make his opening statement to the committee.