It was agreed at the committee's last meeting on 31 March that I would chair this meeting in the absence of the Chairman. The Chairman indicated at that meeting that he would be absent from today's meeting and subsequently the Vice Chairman also indicated that he too was unable to attend.

Fine.

The Members will have to put up with me for a few hours. Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Johnny Brady, and Deputies Edward O'Keeffe, Thomas McEllistrim, Eamon Scanlon, Christy O'Sullivan and Tom Sheahan. We have many absentees and apologies for same. Is it agreed that we go into private session to discuss some private business? Agreed.

The joint committee went into private session at 11.12 a.m. and resumed in public session at 11.25 a.m.