Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise. We are just swapping out some experts from Department of Defence and bringing in those from the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is a substantial Estimate change, but it is all for the right reasons, as I hope the committee will agree. I will just outline the position and we can then go through whatever questions or comments members may have.

With the committee's agreement, I would like to present for its consideration the Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Foreign Affairs. These relate to Vote 27, which is international co-operation or, in many cases, Irish Aid, and Vote 28, which is everything else. In total across both Votes, the request we are making is for a net increase of €114 million - €30 million for Vote 27 and €84 million for Vote 28. Members will have received the advance briefing note provided by my Department. This summarises the reasons for the increases, which I will be happy to explain in a bit more detail and then respond to any further questions that members might have.

On Vote 27, during negotiations on budget 2023, I discussed with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the need to provide additional urgent funding this year for humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa. I am not sure many people realise what is happening in the Horn of Africa at the moment, although I am sure that people in this room do.