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

We are here to debate Committee Stage of the Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023. 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. No apologies have been received. This meeting has been convened for the purpose of considering the Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2023, which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil on 19 April 2023. The purpose of the Bill is to transpose Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC; and to provide for related matters. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Calleary, who is accompanied by his officials.

Grouping will apply to amendments Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5, which will be taken together. All amendments which are not grouped will be discussed individually. I propose that we try to complete our consideration of Committee Stage today. Is that agreed? Agreed. I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to make his opening remarks.