Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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He was a member of the previous committee. As Senator Ó Donnghaile said, very few of us were here most Thursday evenings, unfortunately. At times, this was embarrassing when deputations came from far and near. Our meetings clashed with those of other committees.

In 2011 and 2012, I believe we were asked to sit on Thursday afternoons to facilitate Westminster MPs. Quite a few of them were attending at that time. There was a clash with other committee meetings early on Thursdays and, as Senator Ó Donnghaile said, the voting block tore the back out of it altogether. Votes were going on for a long time, meaning our committee often started late. That was also one of the problems. I would like a time that would facilitate most members, but not a ludicrous time late in the evening when there would be no hope of getting any coverage or of a good attendance. I would have no difficulty with a Monday or Friday, if that is the best option to facilitate all members as much as possible.