I draw Members attention to the fact that we are meeting representatives of the Competition Authority at 2 p.m. on Thursday, 6 April. It is suggested that we might convene a few moments prior to that meeting taking place.
Business of Select Committee.
Are we meeting the Competition Authority or the Mergers and Review Group?
The Competition Authority.
Which is now chaired by John Fingleton. Do we know the identities of the representatives who will be appearing before us?
No.
The Competition Authority lost its chairman, chief executive and its enforcer during the past year.
Yes, but the Competition Authority produced the report which we are anxious to discuss.
We do not know if the acting chairman of the authority or someone else will be coming before the committee?
No, but we have confirmation that the authority will send representatives.
I urge the Chairman to ensure that these representatives are full-time employees of the authority.
I understand there are three people left on the board of the authority. Do Members agree that, due to the importance of the matter we intend to discuss, we should convene ten minutes before the meeting proper commences?
Yes.
I suggest that we hold a private session before meeting the representatives at 2 p.m. I would appreciate it if Members could make time available to meet before 2 p.m. on the day in question.
This is the ninth meeting of the Select Committee on the Copyright Bill. I propose that, as agreed, we commence our deliberations now and continue until 6 p.m. I remind Members that we will resume our deliberations tomorrow at 4 p.m. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, and his officials, John Ruttledge, Patricia Phillips and Vincent Landers. No further amendments have been received since our previous meeting and I propose that we resume on amendment No. 116 to section 181 which was moved by Deputy Stanton.