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

I have apologies from Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly. This meeting is being convened for consideration of Committee Stage of two Bills, the first of which is the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) (Amendment) Bill 2019. Before we proceed further I wish to remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that 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.

We are joined by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, and his officials. I welcome them all to the meeting this morning. There are no proposed amendments to the Bill. At this point I will ask the Minister if he wishes to make any opening remarks before we address the sections.