Is it agreed that the select committee should sit until 2 p.m.? I propose that we suspend until after the Order of Business or 11.30 a.m. at the latest. The Minister at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, will be present to discuss the Bill. Is it agreed that the select committee should sit on Tuesday, 14 February, from noon until 8 p.m., subject to rooms being available? There would be breaks during the day and a break for the Order of Business. Is it also agreed that if consideration of the Bill has not concluded at that time, the select committee will sit on Wednesday, 15 February, at 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., with scheduled breaks, including one for the Order of Business, during the day? Is it further agreed that if consideration of the Bill has not concluded at that time, the select committee will meet on Thursday, 16 February, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., although we can decide if this is excessive? Again, there would be a break for the Order of Business and other scheduled breaks. We are seeking to conclude Committee Stage by next Thursday.
Business of Select Committee.
To clarify, after the Order of Business the select committee will sit until 2 p.m. and from noon until 8 p.m on Tuesday next?
That is correct. Tuesday's sitting will depend on the availability of rooms, etc.
The select committee will sit from 10 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and there will also be breaks for the Order of Business. Is that correct?
Yes, but if Committee Stage is concluded beforehand, all that time will not be required. We should try to dispense with Committee Stage and refer the Bill to the Dáil for Report Stage.
Why is the committee not beginning consideration of the Bill now?
If the Deputy had been present at 10 a.m.——
I was watching on the monitor and waiting for the committee to commence its deliberations. I do not wish to waste any more of my time.
Perhaps the Deputy had left the meeting of the joint committee last evening when we agreed to start this meeting at 10 a.m., as that was the time at which it was scheduled to begin. We agreed to suspend immediately for the Order of Business because the Minister must be present in the House. In addition, Deputy Eamon Ryan experienced a bereavement and we are attempting to accommodate everybody. We will resume immediately after the Order of Business or 11.30 a.m., whichever is sooner.
I came in early because we were told that there might be a vote and I now realise that I could have been doing something else. I am very frustrated with this process.
Far be it from me to frustrate the Deputy. The order of the committee was laid out last week and it scheduled meetings for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week. I cannot change that and I cannot begin a meeting on my own.
We will not waste any more time. I am merely expressing my annoyance.
I assure Deputy Fiona O'Malley that the Minister will be here at 11.30 a.m. and we can begin Committee Stage. I am hoping that we can deal with many of the amendments by 2 p.m.
I look forward to the select committee taking an independent approach in this Bill.
Is that approach independent of the Minister?