On behalf of the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, I welcome the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, his officials and members. In order to provide for the smooth running of the meeting, I draw the committee's attention to a couple of housekeeping points. If any member is acting in substitution for a member of the committee, he or she should notify the clerk to the committee now if he or she has not already done so. Divisions will be taken as they arise and members attending this meeting in accordance with Standing Order 106(3) should be aware that pursuant to the Standing Order, he or she may move his or her amendment and request a division, but cannot participate in voting on that amendment. That is in relation to those who are deputising.
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 House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.