Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This meeting has been convened to consider the revised Estimate for Vote 29, programmes A, B and C. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ossian Smyth. The proposed format of today's meeting is that the Minister of State will make an opening statement and we will deal with Vote 29 on a programme-by-programme basis. There are three programmes. We will consider each of them separately, with questions from members of the committee.

I will read out the note on privilege. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they 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. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. In this regard, I ask all members, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I call the Minister of State to make his opening remarks.