Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the request of broadcasting and recording services, members and visitors in the Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode depending on their device. It is not sufficient just to put phones on silent mode as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

Item No. 6 is detailed scrutiny of the Local Government (Establishment of Town Councils Commission) Bill 2017. I remind members that we will have two sessions today where we are considering the Bill proposed by Deputy Shane Cassells. The Bill was referred to the committee for consideration and today's meeting will involve detailed scrutiny of the Bill.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Deputy Cassells to the meeting. Before we begin, 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.