The minutes of the last meeting, held on Thursday, 23 November, have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed. Apologies have been received by Senator Feeney. Deputies Twomey and Neville are away on business. I welcome Deputy O'Dowd to the meeting.

On matters arising——

Does Senator Browne wish to discuss this in private session?

No. In the context of the minutes, last week we discussed post-mortems. Since then I received an e-mail and I checked out the matter.

Would Senator Browne mind holding that matter until after today's business or will he be in a hurry after the meeting?

I will be brief. The e-mail confirmed that the waiting time ranges from two to 12 weeks and it is a matter of months before a toxicology report is completed. Therefore, there is a matter to be examined in that area because it is unfair on the families involved. The Chairman expressed a particular interest in the matter.

So did Deputy Connolly. I do not want to delay, but Senator Browne's matter is important and we will get some response for him before the committee finishes for the Christmas break. Is that all right?

Perhaps I will give a copy of the e-mail to the clerk of the committee, who might pursue the matter further because it is unfair on the families.

Please do so.

I must attend the Order of Business in the Seanad.

We will continue because I want to bring in Professor O'Neill and the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power.

My departure will not infer any disinterest in the proceedings.

I understand. Is it agreed that we go into private session to deal with correspondence? Agreed.

The joint committee went into private session at 9.32 a.m. and resumed in public session at 9.40 a.m.