Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I ask members to, please, turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system. They are also reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Apologies have been received from Deputy Timmy Dooley.

The purpose of the meeting is to deal with Committee Stage of the Prohibition of the Exploration and Extraction of Onshore Petroleum Bill 2016 which was referred to the Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment by order of the Dáil on 27 October 2016. The joint committee published a report on the detailed scrutiny of the Bill. This is the first time a Private Members' Bill has reached Committee Stage in this Dáil. It is also the first time a Private Members' Bill, the sponsor of which is not a member of the committee, has reached Committee Stage. I welcome Deputy Tony McLoughlin, the sponsor of the Bill, and thank him for his attendance. I also welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs and natural resources, Deputy Seán Kyne, and his officials whom I thank for their attendance. It is proposed to group the following amendments for the purposes of debate: amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 4; and amendments Nos. 3 and 5.