John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At our private meeting earlier on, we adopted the minutes for the previous meeting of 13 December 2023.

At today's meeting, we are engaging with Deputy Shanahan and his team on the detailed scrutiny of the Capital Supply Service and Purpose Report Bill 2023. It is a Private Members' Bill in the Deputy's name. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Deputy Shanahan; Mr. Jim Power, economist; Dr. Ray Griffin, lecturer in strategic management; and Ms Máire Henry, senior lecturer in the department of architecture and built environment.

We are reminded of the note on privilege where members attending in the House have full privilege. If someone is off-campus, one may have only a limited privilege. 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 understand Deputy Shanahan will give an opening statement and I thank him. He is welcome to go ahead.