Vice Chairman:

This meeting has been convened to consider Committee Stage of the Water Services Bill 2017 which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil on 19 October. Deputy Mick Barry is substituting for Deputy Ruth Coppinger. I welcome the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and his officials.

Before we begin consideration of the Bill, I propose that we deal with some housekeeping matters. To ensure the smooth running of the meeting, any Deputy acting in substitution for a member of the select committee should formally notify the clerk if he or she has not already done so. I propose that at 6.15 p.m., after approximately two hours of consideration of the Bill, the select committee take a break for approximately ten minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed. I propose that at 8 p.m. we consider the progress made and make a decision as to whether we should continue to proceed. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I ask members to ensure all mobile phones are switched off or switched to airplane mode for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the broadcasting equipment, even when left in silent mode.