Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with an order of the Dáil, we are dealing with a Supplementary Estimate - Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs - which has been referred to this committee for consideration. On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the committee, I thank the officials and the Department for the briefing material provided to us. It is noted that diary constraints mean the Tánaiste has to depart at approximately 4.45 p.m. I am not sure of the Tánaiste's flexibility but he will inform us of that, if there is any.

The proposed format of this part of the meeting is that the committee will deal with Vote 28. At the outset of the consideration of the Supplementary Estimate, I will invite the Tánaiste to give an overview of Vote 28 outlining any pressures likely to impact on his Department's performance or expenditure in relation to the Vote for the remainder of 2024. The floor will then be open to questions from members of the committee. I propose that this part of the meeting might last approximately 45 minutes, depending on questions and answers and other business in the House.

I also propose an additional item, which has been added to the agenda and which is a matter of public importance and important to this committee. It is a briefing from the Tánaiste on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, with the floor open to members for questions. Due to time constraints, we have approximately 45 minutes for that. I also propose that we have present with us Senator Frances Black, the author of the Bill, along with her legal team, Mr. Conor O'Neill and Mr. Gerry Liston. They will be attending, not as members but as formal witnesses at the meeting, so they can enlighten us about the Bill. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Members will be fully familiar with our notice regarding privilege at this stage. However, I remind members and witnesses 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 any official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her in any way identifiable.

I call on the Tánaiste to make his opening statement on the Vote.