Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, who is unavailable. This meeting has been reconvened for the purpose of continuing the consideration by the select sub-committee of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011. The select sub-committee will consider the Bill until 1.15 p.m., at which time the sitting will be suspended until 2.30 p.m. when it will resume and continue until 5.30 p.m., at which time the sitting will again be suspended until 6 p.m. when it resume and will continue until 9 p.m. If the proceedings are not concluded by that time, in accordance with the order passed by Dáil Éireann on 12 January, I will put one question to the select sub-committee which shall, in respect of amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister. That will conclude the select sub-committee's consideration of the Bill.
The motion passed by Dáil Éireann on 12 January reads as follows:
That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the order of the Dáil of 30th November, 2011, the proceedings in the Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government on the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 [Seanad] shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, 18th January, 2012, by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government or a Minister of State, nominated as a substitute on his behalf.
I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, and his officials, Mr. Ivan Grimes, principal officer, and Mr. Tony Keogh, assistant principal officer, water services policy section, and thank them for their attendance.
The first item on the agenda is a motion tabled by Deputy Niall Collins. It reads:
That the following organisations be invited to appear before the Committee prior to the resumption of Committee Stage of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Environmental Protection Agency; An Taisce; Friends of the Irish Environment; Rural Dweller's Association; Irish Rural Link; Representatives of both elected Members and Managers of Local Authorities; Engineers Ireland.
As the motion has been superseded by the order passed by Dáil Éireann on 12 January, I am ruling it out of order. The select sub-committee will now recommence its consideration of the Bill.