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

We will now proceed to our consideration of the 2022 Supplementary Estimate of Vote 33. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, and their officials to the meeting and thank them for being here with us. As the Minister is present, I remind officials that they should not speak during the session.

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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind members of the constitutional requirements that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to do so will be asked to leave the meeting.

I ask members to identify themselves when contributing via Microsoft Teams for the benefit of the Debates Office staff preparing the Official Report, to mute their microphones when not contributing in order to reduce background noise and feedback and to use the raise-hand function if they wish to contribute. I also ask everyone to ensure their phones are on silent mode or, better again, switched off.

I also welcome Deputy Ó Snodaigh who is here with us today.

We will begin with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. I ask the Minister to present her opening statement. The floor is hers.