The Joint Committee met at 10:00

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, Senator Thomas Byrne, Deputy Ciara Conway,* Senator Aideen Hayden. Deputy Pearse Doherty, Deputy Robert Dowds,* Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick,* Deputy Sean Fleming, Deputy Heather Humphreys, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, Deputy Anthony Lawlor,* Deputy Peter Mathews, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, Deputy Brian Stanley,

* In the absence of Deputies Arthur Spring, Michael McNamara and Dara Murphy, respectively.

In attendance: Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, MEP.

DEPUTY CIARÁN LYNCH IN THE CHAIR.