Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will commence the meeting in public session. Apologies have been received from Senator Ned O'Sullivan. Given that the Tánaiste is here, we should proceed with public business first and dispose of private business when the engagement with the Tánaiste is concluded.

Today, we are meeting An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, to discuss the general scheme of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the UK from the EU on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019. The Tánaiste is very welcome. I also welcome his officials and thank them for the briefing supplied in advance of the meeting. I also thank colleagues from the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs for accommodating this approach to this meeting. The format for the meeting is that we will hear an opening statement from An Tánaiste before we move on to a question and answer session with the members of the committee.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. Members are requested to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are turned off completely as they cause interference, even when on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee room.

Also, I remind members of the longstanding parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call on the Tánaiste to make his opening statement.