Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we have a quorum, we are now in public session. Apologies have been received from Deputies Quinlivan, Niall Collins and Stephen Donnelly. The committee will now undertake consideration of the Sectoral Employment Order (Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector) 2018. In accordance with Dáil Standing Order 84A(4)(k) and Seanad Standing Order 71(3)(k), the Sectoral Employment Order (Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector) 2018 in draft was referred to this committee by orders of the Dáil and the Seanad on 6 February 2018. The committee has been asked to send a message to both Houses not later than 20 February 2018 stating that it has completed its consideration of the order.

I would like to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Breen, and his officials to the meeting and thank them for the briefing material provided, which has been circulated to members. I now invite the Minister, Deputy Breen, to make his opening statement.