Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform members that Deputy Patrick O'Donovan is deputising for Deputy Paudie Coffey, while Deputy Paul Connaughton is deputising for Deputy Brendan Griffin.

The meeting has been convened to consider the Gas Regulation Bill 2013. The purpose of the Bill is first, to allow and facilitate the sale of Bord Gáis Energy, a division of Bord Gáis Éireann; second, to restructure Bord Gáis Éireann and establish a gas network subsidiary company which cannot be sold; and third, to change the ministerial ownership and control provisions for Bord Gáis Éireann.

I welcome the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, and his officials to the meeting.

As there are proposed amendments, groupings arise. I am requesting that all mobile telephones should be switched off.