I propose the following draft report:
The Select Committee has considered the Bill and has made amendments thereto. The Bill, as amended, is reported to the Dáil.
Report agreed to.
Ordered to report to the Dáil accordingly.
Report of Select Committee.
I thank the Minister. I am a new Member of this committee but I found its proceedings very informative. I have learned a lot from both the Minister and the Members who contributed to the debate. I had the privilege of substituting for the Chairman for the past two days and I thank all Members for their co-operation during those sessions.
A number of points have been raised today and at earlier meetings of the committee. We are working on amendments for Report Stage and they are nearly ready. It will be shortly after Easter before we can deal with this as the Dáil is going into recess.
The Dáil will adjourn next Friday for Easter. When will the committee meet again?
I presume it will be a matter for the Chairman to——
I want to discuss this with the Members. There has been a meeting of the chairmen and convenors of all Dáil committees to arrange meetings so that they will not clash with each other. It has been suggested that this committee will sit on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m. This will be a matter for the committee, not for me, to decide.
That would not suit us.
It was mentioned this morning that the Finance Bill will be published next week. For the last few years when this happened this committee was in session for a full week. For what week will we meet this year?
Second Stage will be taken in the Dáil the week it resumes after Easter.
I do not think there is any necessity for us to meet next week. Is that agreed? Agreed. I presume the Chairman will set a date for the next meeting. A schedule is being arranged for the convenience of all Members of committees in which there is duplication of membership so that meetings will not clash. It has been suggested that this committee should sit on Thursdays.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Commercial State-sponsored Bodies has set Thursday mornings for its meetings and it is meeting tomorrow. A number of the Members of this committee are also on that committee.
Meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts usually take precedence on Thursdays.
That committee may meet at a different time. Is there a duplication of Members with regard to our committee and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Commercial State-sponsored Bodies? There is a duplication of Members on this committee and the Committee of Public Accounts.
There is. The set time for the State-sponsored bodies committee is 11 a.m. on Thursdays.
Who is chairman of that committee?
Deputy Kavanagh.
He was at the meeting yesterday at which this was discussed.
Select committees which deal with legislation should take precedence.
That is so. We will discuss the matter at our next meeting and it will be up to the committee to decide.
Before we conclude I thank you, Acting Chairman, and the other Members. This Bill has probably been given more detailed consideration by a committee than most others. I thank all the Members who contributed and you, in particular, for your courtesy and efficiency.
The Select Committee adjourned sine die.