The Joint Committee met at 15:10

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, Senator Thomas Byrne, Deputy Pearse Doherty, Senator Michael D'Arcy, Deputy Regina Doherty, Senator Hildegarde Naughton.* Deputy Anne Ferris,* Deputy Heather Humphreys, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, Deputy Seán Kenny,* Deputy Michael McGrath, Deputy Dara Murphy, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien,* Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, Deputy Liam Twomey,

* In the absence of Deputies Arthur Spring, Simon Harris and Mary Lou McDonald, and Senator Tom Sheahan, respectively.

DEPUTY CIARÁN LYNCH IN THE CHAIR.

The joint committee met in private session until 3.25 p.m.

Sitting suspended at 3.25 p.m. and resumed at 4.05 p.m.

The joint committee met in public session at 4.05 p.m.