The meeting is being held to consider the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008. At 1 p.m. we will adjourn the meeting to reconvene on Tuesday, 20 May 2008. Before commencing, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh ar mo shon féin agus ar shon baill an roghchoiste leis an Aire nuaceaptha Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí. We wish him well in his new appointment and look forward to working with him. Cuirim fáilte roimhe. I welcome the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and his officials to this meeting.
Business of Select Committee.
Have we already agreed to reconvene on Tuesday, 20 May?
Yes.
At what time?
We are adjourning today at 1 p.m. and reconvening at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 20 May.
From a logistical viewpoint it might be better to postpone it beyond 4 p.m. in that we will be running into the Order of Business. We could have just begun only to have to leave for the Dáil Chamber.
Coincidentally, 4 p.m. on that date causes me grief for a different reason because I am down at the Four Courts at that time, although I do not think they will detain me. I am quite prepared to sit the other side of 4 p.m. for as long as the Minister is willing. I have no problem with that, but 4 p.m. is problematical for me.
Is the Minister available at another time?
I am okay around 4 p.m., but later on in the evening I have a problem. It depends on how long it will go for. I am okay until 7 p.m. What about 5 p.m. to 7 p.m?
I would aim to be back here by 5 p.m. but if I do not make it Deputy O'Shea might stand in for me.
At 4 p.m.?
At 5 p.m.
From 5 p.m.
Yes.
Yes, that is fine.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. then. Is that agreed? Agreed. Maith go leor.