Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will start our meeting now because we are assured it is being broadcast, although we cannot see it on the screen.

As we have a quorum of three Teachtaí Dála, we will commence the meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I remind members to turn off their mobile telephones as they can interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and also adversely affect television coverage and web-streaming. I also remind members that this meeting will be conducted in public session. The meeting has been convened for the purpose of the consideration by this select sub-committee of the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015. Is that agreed? Agreed. This Bill was referred to the Select Sub-Committee on the Environment Community and Local Government on 22 October 2015. The Bill has five sections and four amendments are proposed to it. The aim of the Bill is to amend and extend the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937, the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947 and the Electoral Act 1992.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Ann Phelan, and her officials to the meeting. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I remind officials that they should not speak at this meeting, only the Minister of State should speak, and I thank them for their attendance.

It is proposed to group the amendments Nos. 1, 3 and 4 for the purpose of this debate. All other amendments, which are not grouped, will be discussed individually.