Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the members and witnesses for participating in today's committee meeting. I remind them that all members are required to participate in the meeting either from within the meeting room or remotely from within the Leinster House complex only. Should a division occur, any members participating remotely will be required to make their way to the meeting room within the normal division time to vote before returning to their original location. I have a public health announcement. All of those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. No apologies have been received. This meeting has been convened for the purpose of considering the Screening of Third Country Transactions Bill 2022, which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil on 24 September 2022. The purpose of the Bill is, among other things, to provide for a process to allow for certain transactions that may present risks to the security of public order in the State to be reviewed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Bill seeks to ensure that Ireland can meet its reporting and co-operation obligations as set out in EU Regulation 2019/452. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Calleary, who is accompanied by his officials.