As COM (2012) 380 and COM (2012) 382 are being taken together and the proposals have implications for road users, it is proposed that they warrant scrutiny. Negotiations on the proposals are ongoing. Therefore, the joint committee can opt to scrutinise the proposals by requesting a written submission from the stakeholders or the Department.
Business of Joint Committee
As we are discussing motorcycles and mopeds, a submission has been received from the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group, MAG Ireland, in which it expresses its concerns about these proposals. MAG Ireland asserts that specialist equipment and operative training would be necessary before they could be implemented.
The submission arrived at 10 p.m. yesterday.
It has a bearing on our discussion.
Yes. For that reason, we will be updated by the Department.
In addition to the other stakeholders we have identified, I suggest the farming, automobile and vintage vehicle associations be asked for their opinions. Myriad organisations would have an opinion on the matter and we should try to draft an exhaustive list as quickly as possible in order that we might circulate the proposals and seek written responses at the earliest opportunity.
Is that agreed? Agreed. We will await the arrival of the officials from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Someone who will be present in the Visitors' Gallery is slightly hard of hearing. When he attended a previous meeting and members did not speak into their microphones, he missed 50% of what was stated.
The Deputy is requesting that members speak into their microphones.
For future meetings perhaps we might also consider using audio assistive technology for those who are hard of hearing.
We have a new screen on which presentations can be shown. Is that what the Deputy means?
No. I am referring to persons who are aurally challenged.
Although I understand the frustration experienced while at a meeting, the transcripts are available.
The joint committee went into private session at 10.15 a.m. and resumed in public session at 10.16 a.m.