Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Before we go to the roster of speakers, we will deal with a few housekeeping matters we overlooked at the start of the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the Revised Estimates for Public Services for Vote 29 - Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, programme D, and for Vote 31 - Department of Transport. I remind members that the committee has no role in approving the Revised Estimates. This is an ongoing opportunity for the committee to examine departmental expenditure to make the process more transparent and to engage in a meaningful way on relevant performance issues.

All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. 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.

For anyone watching, Oireachtas Members and witnesses now have an option of being physically present in a committee room or to join in on MS Teams. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she does not adhere to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard I ask all members participating via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. If attending in the committee room, members are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I thank the Minister for his opening statement. We have four members of the committee with us and the original plan was to have two rounds of contributions. We might just give everyone a bit of discretion and leeway. I call Deputy Carey.