Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This meeting has been convened to consider Committee Stage of the Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016, which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil of 1 March. Apologies have been received from Deputy Niall Collins, for whom Deputy James Lawless is substituting. In order to ensure the smooth running of the meeting, any Member acting in substitution for a member of the committee should formally notify the clerk if he or she has not already done so.

I welcome the Minister of State responsible for training, skills and innovation, Deputy John Halligan, and his officials. There are ten amendments tabled. It is intended that we will consider this Bill until we conclude Committee Stage today. Is that agreed? Agreed. I refer members to the circulated list of amendments grouped for the purpose of debate. We will now proceed to the consideration of the Bill.