Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I request all attendees, members et al, to ensure their mobile phones are switched to silent mode because they can interfere with the recording and broadcasting equipment. I have already noted the apologies of Deputies Jim O'Callaghan and Jack Chambers.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider the 2018 Revised Estimates for the justice group of Votes. I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and his officials. The proposed format is that we deal with the Revised Estimates on a Vote by Vote basis. The Minister will begin by making an opening statement. We will then move to the individual Votes and programmes when we will open up the floor for questions from members who will be called in the order in which they indicate. The Minister will respond and we will then move to the next Vote. Members have been furnished with an additional briefing document which was prepared by the secretariat. I encourage them to refer to it for the purposes of facilitation.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise, comment on 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 make his opening statement.