Deputy Michael Collins asked me to pass on his apologies. He is trying to make the meeting and will be here as soon as he can.
Business of Joint Committee
Senator Rose Conway-Walsh who is substituting for Senator Fintan Warfield has asked if she can speak first as she has an item of legislation with which she has to deal in the Seanad at 3 p.m. Is that agreed?
That is fine.
Go raibh maith agat.
Members are normally allocated ten minutes. The Senator can spend five minutes asking her questions and allow our guest five minutes in which to reply or she can ask short questions and move back and forth for ten minutes, whichever suits her.
Go raibh maith agat.
I ask members to, please, turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system and, therefore, the broadcasting of the meeting.
Apologies have been received form Deputy Michael Collins who is trying to make it to the meeting. I hope we will see him shortly. Apologies have also been received from Deputy Martin Heydon and Senator Fintan Warfield.