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

This meeting has been convened for consideration of Committee Stage of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016. Members are reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind people, including our friends in the Gallery, to switch off their mobile phones as it interferes with recording equipment in the room.

We are joined by the Minister of State at the Departments of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Justice and Equality, and Health, Deputy Finian McGrath, who has special responsibility for disability issues. The Minister of State and his officials are all welcome. Before I invite the Minister of State to make his opening remarks on the Bill and before we begin to address the amendments, the Minister of State and colleagues should note that not for the first time, the Committee on Justice and Equality finds its work being compromised in some way by the fact that questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality are taking place in the Dáil Chamber at the same time. I do not know how quickly we will get through our work here this morning but members of the committee who are spokespersons on justice are obliged to be on the floor of the Dáil to deal with questions to the Minister. It is an absolutely unacceptable situation, and it is not the first time it has happened. This scheduling should not happen. I appeal to the Minister of State to address this issue after the meeting.

I invite the Minister of State to make any opening remarks on the Bill before we address the amendments.