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

I have received an apology from Deputy Carthy. Deputy Stanton will be along later. With regard to the meeting, the Dáil has ordered that the Supplementary Estimates for public services in respect of Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs be referred to this committee for consideration. On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for international development and the diaspora, my constituency colleague, Deputy Sean Fleming, and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the committee, I also thank the officials and the Department for the comprehensive briefing material provided to the committee in advance.

The proposed format of this section of the meeting is that the committee will deal with Vote 27 and then deal with Vote 28 although, in these circumstances, I am open to dealing with both by way of debate and questions together and to then deal with the report of the Dáil separately, as I am required to do.

If it is okay with the Minister of State, having regard to the composition of the meeting, we might deal with both Votes together.

At the outset of our consideration of the Supplementary Estimates, I will invite the Minister of State to give an overview of Votes 27 and 28, outlining any pressures likely to impact on his Department’s performance or expenditure in relation to the Vote for the remainder of this year. I will then invite questions from members on each Vote.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister of State to make his statement.