Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask members to switch off their mobile telephones. It is not sufficient to leave them on silent mode, they need to be switched off.

The first item on our agenda is Ireland and the future of the European Union. On behalf of the Committee, I welcome Professor Brigid Laffan and Dr. Gavin Barrett, both of whom are from University College Dublin. Today's meeting is the fourth in a series dealing with Ireland and the future of the European Union. We are considering issues related to financial, budgetary and economic policy integration in the EU. We will also touch on the issues of democratic accountability, legitimacy and political union. We will also discuss the implications for Ireland of the future of the United Kingdom's involvement in the EU. Today's session presents an opportunity to discuss these issues in depth with two distinguished academics on European affairs, both of whom have a strong track record for communicating Europe in their academic writings and teachings.
Before we commence, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way that he or she can be easily identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l)-----