Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Senator Lynn Ruane. I propose that we conduct our public business first and then go into private session afterwards to deal with housekeeping matters.

The first item on our agenda is a briefing on the general scheme of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to have a briefing session on the general scheme of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019.

One behalf of the committee I wish to welcome the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Joe McHugh, and the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, as well as their officials to the meeting. I will invite the Minister and the Minister of State to make opening statements. This will be followed by an engagement with members of the committee.

I wish to remind members that this briefing relates to Part 5 of the general scheme, the relevant part for this committee. Contributions should focus only on the relevant heads within that part.