Apologies have been received from Deputy Thomas McEllistrim. Is it agreed that we go into private session to discuss private business? Agreed.

The joint committee went into private session at 2.05 p.m. and resumed in public session at 2.40 p.m.

Before I welcome the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, I extend a message of sympathy on my own behalf and on behalf of the committee to Deputy Aylward on the death of his mother. Unfortunately, I was out of the country when the committee received notice of her death. We are very sorry about the Deputy's bereavement.

We all wish to be associated with the Chairman's words of condolence.