Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I took it that I was being contacted as the Chairman of the committee because I was trying to arrange meetings, secure the availability of witnesses and organise our timetable. I took it that the Chairman was being contacted about how the committee was going to proceed. I took three or four phone calls and then the secretariat eventually wrapped all the details up. I did not see any issue. I thought I was being contacted as normal as the Chair. I was working in a vacuum because I did not know whether the report would be out. It required a bit of toing and froing. That is all. We will move on. I do not think there is any issue here. There are no matters arising from the minutes. The next item is routine correspondence.

I just want to say we are joined today by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr. Seamus McCarthy, who is a permanent witness to the committee. He is accompanied by three officials from his office: Mr. Andy Harkness, who is the secretary and director of audit; Mr. John Riordan, who is a deputy director; and Mr. Tom Malone, who is an assistant principal. I mention that by way of information. They will be speaking shortly.

We are completing our routine correspondence item. Correspondence items 80A (i) to (viii) are briefing documents from NAMA in relation to today's meeting.

Is it agreed to note those? Agreed. The next item is correspondence 81A and 82A, opening statements from Mr. Brendan McDonagh, chief executive officer of NAMA, and Mr. Frank Daly, chairman of NAMA. Is it agreed to note them? Agreed.

The next item is correspondence 48B, correspondence from Professor Brian Norton, president of Dublin Institute of Technology, providing information on non-competitive procurement. This was deferred from last week. I suggest we note it. It is a document of 100 pages and members are welcome to read it. It can be raised in any forum.

The next item is correspondence 70B, a follow-up letter to our meeting on 21 July from Mr. Conor O'Kelly of the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, providing information on the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, primary care centres and a breakdown of legal costs incurred in the State Claims Agency. Is it agreed to note it? Agreed. People can take that up themselves.