I welcome everybody to this meeting. I also welcome Senator Lombard who has joined our committee. He is very welcome. We thank Senator Buttimer for his contribution to the committee in the recent past. Apologies have been received from the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Martin Browne. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility and to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. We must approve the minutes of the private and public meetings on 22 March 2023 and 23 March 2023. Are they agreed? Agreed.
I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place in which Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.