Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose we deal with some housekeeping matters. In order to ensure the smooth running of the meeting, any member acting in substitution for a member of the committee should formally notify the clerk to the committee if they have not already done so. Deputy Cassells has already informed the committee that he is substituting for Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I propose that after a period of two hours that we take a break for approximately ten minutes, if required. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with special responsibility for local government and electoral reform, Deputy Phelan, and his officials to the meeting.

At the request of broadcasting and recording services, members are requested that for the duration of the meeting, mobile phones are to be turned off completely or switched to airplane mode. It is not sufficient to put phones on silent mode, as it maintains a level of interference with the broadcasting system.