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

I thank members and witnesses for participating in today’s committee meeting. I remind any members participating remotely to do so from within the Leinster House complex only, as they are well aware. Should a division occur, any member 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. We have not received any apologies yet.

The meeting is being convened for the purpose of considering the Digital Services Bill 2023, which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil on 13 December 2023. The purpose of this Bill is to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market for digital services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) and for the purposes of amending the Broadcasting Act 2009 and the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 and to provide for related matters. I welcome Deputy Dara Calleary, Minister for State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who is accompanied by his officials.

The following amendment groupings will apply: amendments Nos. 2, 6, 41 to 44, inclusive; amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, 36, 37, 39, 40, 45 to 49, inclusive; amendments Nos. 7 and 26; amendments Nos. 8 to 16, inclusive, 18, 19, 23 to 25, inclusive, 50 to 58, inclusive, and 60; amendments Nos. 20 to 22, inclusive, and 59; amendments Nos. 27 and 28; amendments Nos. 29, 30, 32 and 34; and amendments Nos. 31, 33 and 35. All other amendments not grouped will be discussed individually.

I propose that we try to complete our consideration of Committee Stage of this Bill today. Is that agreed? Agreed. Before we proceed with our consideration of the Bill, I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to address the committee.