David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Ann Ferris. I remind members to turn off their mobile telephones because, even in silent mode, they can interfere with the quality of the transmission.

This meeting has been convened to consider a Supplementary Estimate for Vote 35, Army pensions, and Committee Stage of the Europol Bill 2012. We will deal with the Supplementary Estimate first.

A Supplementary Estimate for Vote 35 was referred to the select committee yesterday by the Dáil with an instruction to report back to the Dáil by 8 November. The role of the select committee under Standing Orders is to consider the Supplementary Estimate and report that it has done so to the Dáil.

I welcome the Minister for Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter, and his officials to this meeting to assist the select committee in its consideration of the Supplementary Estimate. I thank them for providing briefing material on the Supplementary Estimate which was circulated to members in advance.

I propose the Minister will address the select committee first after which Opposition spokespersons will have an opportunity to respond. Then we can have an open discussion. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I remind members that under Standing Order 161, discussion must be confined to items included in the Supplementary Estimate.