Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Will everyone please switch off all mobile phones as they interfere with the sound recording system?

The purpose of the first part of today's meeting is to consider a Government motion to exercise the right to opt in, pursuant to Protocol No. 21 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union, to a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794 for the purposes of establishing a European travel information and authorisation system.

I extend a warm welcome to our new committee member Deputy Fitzpatrick. I hope he will find membership of this committee a good experience.

I welcome the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, and his officials to the committee this morning. I invite him to advise us of the proposition. If there are questions, we will try to deal with this matter expeditiously.