Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Smyth and Dillon. Deputy Johnny Mythen will attend in substitution for Deputy Imelda Munster. The meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimates for public services for 2024: Vote 33, programme areas A, B, D and E, which stand referred to this committee by Dáil Éireann.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and their colleagues to the meeting here in Committee Room 2. As the Minister and Minister of State are present, it is not expected that officials will speak in public session. I also wish to advise that the opening statements and any other statements submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after this meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The format of the meeting is such that I will invite opening statements from the Minister and Minister of State, which will then be followed by questions from members as we consider each programme area. It is proposed that questions will be taken as members indicate for today's session, as we consider each programme area. Is that agreed? Agreed.

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 any official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to attend where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I propose that we now proceed with the opening statements, and I invite the Minister, Deputy Martin to commence.