Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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This meeting has been convened for the purpose of consideration by this committee of the Companies Bill 2012, which was referred to the select committee by order of the Dáil on 25 April 2013. I welcome Deputy Sean Sherlock, Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with responsibility for research and innovation, and all his officials. I thank them for all the co-operation in recent months, especially through Ms Elaine Cassidy, to get to this stage.

As this is one of the largest Bills in the history of the State, with the prior agreement of members we have set aside four days this week and the same next week for its consideration. In addition, we have booked Friday, 22 November and Friday, 29 November to conclude our consideration of the Bill if necessary. Is that agreed? Agreed. Should our consideration of the Bill on Thursday 14 November progress well, it would be proposed to sit later that night to conclude our consideration. Is that agreed? Agreed.

As discussed in our private session the following arrangements will apply. Sections grouped in accordance with the list circulated to members will be disposed of by one question. I refer members to the grouping of amendments for the purpose of debate. We will now proceed to our consideration of the Bill.