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

I thank the Minister. The committee is approaching this issue with an open mind. There is no predetermination of its position on the matter. The consideration we gave it a fortnight ago was such that we would be informed from all of the witnesses who will come before us and again next week. Furthermore, we did not have sight of the Minister's opening statement prior to the commencement of today's meeting. I understand that his address to us was not received by the secretariat until 8.45 a.m. I thank the witnesses with whom we will engage in session two for their submissions, which we have had an opportunity to peruse.