I welcome the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor, and his officials. Members will be aware this Bill was scheduled to be taken last month but, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was not possible to take it. I hope we make good progress today and, perhaps, complete the amendments tabled.
Before I call on Deputy Woods to move the first amendment, I wish to refer to the committee meeting before last. A heated exchange took place between myself and Members on the Judge Dominic Lynch issue resulting in Deputy Liam Fitzgerald leaving the meeting. As Chairman, I apologise to the Deputy for remarks I made concerning his and other Members' attendance at this committee. A number of recent meetings failed to reach an appropriate quorum. However, the attendance over the past years of Deputy Fitzgerald, as convenor of the Fianna Fáil group, has been extremely positive and records will show he has been one of the best attendees at this committee. I, therefore, withdraw any assertion that he was responsible on any occasion for the committee not reaching a quorum. I regret if any of my remarks caused him to take offence and withdraw any comments directed at him. I apologise for any offence caused and regret that he left the meeting but am pleased he has returned and hope he accepts my apology.