James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have a quorum and will start the meeting in public session. I remind members and anyone else in attendance to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they can make it difficult for the reporters to cover the meeting and television coverage and web-streaming are also potentially adversely affected by them. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they 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 as to make him or her identifiable.

Apologies have been received from Deputy Dooley and other members will join us during the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to consider Committee Stage of the Minerals Development Bill 2015, which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil dated 22 February 2017. The Dáil passed the necessary motions giving the committee the power to proceed with the Bill and all amendments are in order. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Kyne, who has special responsibility for natural resources and inland fisheries, and his officials. Does the Minister of State wish to address the committee at this point?