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

We are now back in public session. The purpose of our first session is to consider a Government motion to exercise the right to opt in, pursuant to Protocol 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to two measures in the civil justice area. The first is a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No. 1393/2007 on the service in the member states of judicial and extra judicial documents in civil or commercial matters, that is, the service of documents. The second is a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No. 1206/2001 on co-operation between the courts of the member states in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, and his officials. Before we begin, I am obliged to issue the following caution. Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister of State to make his opening statement.