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

We have received apologies from Deputy Pa Daly. Deputy Costello is currently in the Dáil Chamber but may join us later in the meeting.

Today's meeting is to consider the Supplementary Estimates for Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána; Vote 21 - prisons; Vote 22 - the Courts Service; and Vote 24 - justice. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and his officials and team for attending. I am also grateful for the information and briefing materials that were provided in advance of the meeting by the Department. Before we get into the line items, I will invite the Minister of State to make an opening statement if he wishes to do so.