Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are now back in public session and will resume our consideration of correspondence received since our last meeting. Item No. 916C is correspondence dated 10 November from an individual relating to the awarding of a contract to a body without a tender process by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The correspondence raises questions as to why this Department is developing the framework when it has been previously undertaken by the Department of Justice and Equality. I propose we write to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for a full note on this to address the questions contained in the correspondence. When we get a reply we will follow it up at that stage.

No. 917C is correspondence dated 15 November 2017 from Mr. Aidan O’Driscoll, Secretary General in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in reply to a request for information on the PRSI classification of certain staff employed by Coillte. The reply says that the Department is not involved in this case and suggests that we direct our enquiry to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I propose that we write to that Department, as suggested and also request information directly form Coillte.

No. 920C, correspondence dated 16 November 2017 from an individual in regard to a number of issues including the Rugby World Cup, Government funding for the RDS and lobbying by an insurance company. This is only a copy of letter that has been sent to the Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, Deputy John McGuinness. I suggest that we note it. The original has gone to the aforementioned committee and there is nothing in it for us to follow up on.

No. 921C is correspondence dated 23 October 2017 from an individual regarding the Irish Prison Service and the individual’s sentence management. This matter is not within the remit of the committee and as the individual has also made contact with the office of the Minister for Justice and Equality office and the relevant sectoral committee, I propose we note the correspondence and communicate with the individual to that effect.

We are simply noting it. The individual has already written to the other people directly on it.

No. 922C is correspondence dated 31 October from an individual in respect of proposed TV licence increases and freelance contracts at the national broadcaster. As we are considering an engagement with RTÉ early in the year, I propose we simply note it. We might discuss the RTÉ issue on the work programme presently and we will note the correspondence in the meantime.

No. 923C is correspondence dated 9 November 2017 from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, in respect of an ongoing case with which members will be familiar. The Minister has stated the need for the individual to make contact with An Garda Síochána if he has information relating to the murder of a State employee and that matters relating to the individual's dismissal cannot be provided to the committee for data protection reasons. I propose that we forward the response received from the Minister to the individual and advise that we will not be considering the matter any further. Is that agreed?