James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No apologies have been received. I know Deputy Costello is in another meeting and hopes to join us at some stage and I understand that Senator Ruane is in the same position. I may also need to step out to attend the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence which is meeting next door because the Chief of Staff is there and I wanted to have an engagement. I might ask one of the other members to deputise for me briefly if that occurs.

I think the usual arrangements relating to mobile phones and sound recordings are well understood by members at this stage. We have some public business on which we will engage with the Minister, Deputy Harris, and his officials and then we will have some private business at the end. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister and his team to the committee again today. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to be briefed on the Opt-In Regulation (EU) 2021/2303. I understand that it is not for a decision of the committee today; I understand the decision will be made by the Dáil, if a decision is required, tomorrow. It is really for information of the committee today so that everyone understands what it is about. I will invite the Minister to brief the committee and then we will have an engagement. I do not think I need to remind anyone in the room about privilege, other than to say that the usual rules apply. I think that is understood by all present. The Minister is very welcome and I invite him to present on this item.