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

The Minister of State has a long opening statement, so perhaps she will give us an idea of it as we go along. We can take it as read. No apologies have been received. Members might be online. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, and her officials. We will be dealing with a Revised Estimate.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members 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. Members are reminded of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place Parliament has chosen to sit - today it is Leinster House – in order to participate in public meetings. Members will not be allowed to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement.

I refer to the 2024 Revised Estimates for the Department of the Taoiseach. The Dáil has ordered that the Revised Estimate in respect of the following Vote be referred to this select committee for consideration: Vote 4 – the Central Statistics Office. Would the Minister of State like to give us an opening comment?