Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will read a couple of notes for committee members. This committee does not make a decision. It considers the Estimates but cannot amend them or vote on them. We must then send a message to the Dail when we have completed that progress. That is a summary of how the process works.

No apologies have been received. This meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimated of Vote 29 - Climate, Energy and the Environment, programmes A, B and C. I welcome the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his officials. The proposed format of today's meeting is that we will deal with Vote 29 on a programme by programme basis. At the outset, the Minister will make an opening statement. There are three programmes and we will consider each of them separately with questions from members. We will then have some brief closing remarks. Is that approach agreed? Agreed.

I remind members that in accordance with Standing Orders, the discussion should be confined to the items constituting the Revised Estimates. I also 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 to deliver his opening statement.