After weddings, sicknesses and no funerals, we can reconvene. I thank members for their forbearance last week due to the Minister, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, not being available. I speak on behalf of the Minister when I say that he thanks members for their understanding.
I remind members and officials to please ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with broadcasting equipment even when in silent mode. The meeting has been convened to resume consideration of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2022. I remind members again of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically president within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in this meeting. Members must also be present in the committee rooms for votes. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Harris, and his officials here today.
On the arrangements for taking the Bill, I direct members that should a vote be called, members must be physically present in the committee room in order to vote. We will now proceed to consider the Bill.