The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, with the Minister, Deputy Bruton. As a number of apologies have been received today the joint committee has a reduced membership in attendance for this meeting. I thank the Minister for his attendance. I remind members, guests and witnesses to turn off their mobile telephones, which interfere with the broadcasting equipment. I note someone's telephone is switched on because I can already hear some background disturbance. Mine is switched off and I ask everyone to check. It is not sufficient to leave them in silent mode as they need to be switched off. I would appreciate it were everyone present to do that now.
