Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider Committee Stage of the Communications Regulation Bill 2022. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Ossian Smyth, and his officials to the meeting.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded 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. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in the meeting. Reluctantly, I will not permit a member to participate if he or she does not adhere to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts from outside the precincts of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member participating via MS Teams to confirm that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making his or her contribution to the meeting.

If attending in the committee room, they are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

On the arrangements for taking the Bill, I remind all members that should a vote be called, they must be physically present in the committee room to vote. We will now proceed to the consideration of the Bill.