The Joint Committee met at 14:00

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Deputy Eric Byrne,* Senator Sean D. Barrett, Deputy Pearse Doherty, Senator Thomas Byrne. Deputy Dominic Hannigan,* Deputy Derek Keating,* Deputy Michael McCarthy,* Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, Deputy Michelle Mulherin,* Deputy John Paul Phelan,* Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, Deputy Peadar Tóibín,*

* In the absence of Deputies Ciara Conway, Arthur Spring, Ciarán Cannon, Ciarán Lynch, Tom Barry, Alan Farrell and Brian Stanley, respectively.

In attendance: Deputy Robert Dowds.

DEPUTY LIAM TWOMEY IN THE CHAIR.