Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman had to be excused so I will act as Chair for the rest of the session. I remind members of the committee and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones completely as they interfere with the recording equipment.

Before we commence the main business of today's proceedings, I wish to turn to some housekeeping matters. The minutes of the meeting of 18 September 2019 and 25 September 2019 have been circulated. As there are no matters arising, are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

The first item of correspondence is item 2019/518A and 2019/518B. 2019/518A is an email received from Maria Mulvany, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, dated 20 September 2019, attaching a letter from Michael Nolan, chief executive officer, CEO, of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. No. 2019/518B is the aforementioned letter from Mr. Nolan and it advises the joint committee that he will not be able to accept an invitation to appear before the committee due to prior commitments. There is also reference to the fact that the road in question, the R132, is a regional road and does not fall within the remit of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/519A is an email received from Sally Hogan of Brian Lynch & Associates, dated 26 September 2019, attaching a letter from Mr. Brian Lynch - No. 2019/519B - regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report of 2017 on the provision of school transport. No. 2019/519C is a second email received from Sally Hogan of Brian Lynch & Associates, dated 30 September 2019, attaching a second letter from Mr. Brian Lynch - No. 2019/519D - regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report of 2017 on the provision of school transport. Is the correspondence noted?