Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Patrick Costello and Seán Sherlock. Deputy Brian Leddin is substituting for Deputy Costello.

On 15 October 2024, the Dáil ordered that the Supplementary Estimates for public services in respect of the following Votes be referred to this committee for consideration: Vote 40 - Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The purpose of this meeting is to consider the Supplementary Estimates and to report back to the Dáil. I remind members that only matters relevant to the Supplementary Estimates for 2024 can be discussed at this meeting.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and their officials. I thank them for the briefing materials provided. I advise that this material has been circulated to members in advance of the meeting. The following officials are accompanying the Ministers: Mr. David Delaney, assistant secretary in the international protection division; Mr. Conor Rowley, assistant secretary in the Ukraine division; Mr. Colm Ó Conaill, assistant secretary in the disability division; and Mr. Ciaran Madden, principal officer in the early years division. They are all very welcome.

The proposed format of the meeting is to invite both Ministers to deliver an opening statement, which will be followed by questions from members. I will call on members in accordance with the speaking rota circulated in advance of the meeting. As the meeting is due to conclude at 12.30 p.m., members will be allocated five minutes for their questions. This time allocation should include the response from the Ministers. I will have to adhere to that five-minute limit.

Before we begin, I have a few housekeeping matters to go through. I advise members that the chat function on Microsoft Teams should only be used to make the team on site aware of any technical issues or urgent matters that may arise during the meeting. It should not be used to make general comments or statements. 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 is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making their contribution to the meeting.

I will advise the Ministers and members about parliamentary privilege before we begin. Witnesses and members 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, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

That completes the housekeeping matters. We will now proceed with the meeting. I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.