Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting because they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even in silent mode.

We are meeting the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris. I welcome him and his officials. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the motion that Dáil and Seanad Éireann approve the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) (No. 2) Order 2022. The format of the meeting is that I will invite the Minister to make a brief opening statement of five minutes and members can ask questions. As the Minister will probably be aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on the Oireachtas website following the meeting.

Before I begin, I remind members 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, her or it identifiable.

I call the Minister to make his opening statement.