Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and those in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the recording equipment. Before we commence the main business of today's proceedings, we will address some housekeeping matters. The minutes of the meetings of 23 October, 6 November and 20 November have been circulated. Are there any matters arising from those minutes? No. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

We will now deal with the committee's correspondence. Members should feel free to raise any matters arising from that correspondence during this discussion.

Correspondence No. 2019/543 is an email sent to the office of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport requesting details of the Minister's availability to appear before the joint committee throughout November and December. We will note that correspondence.

Correspondence No. 2019/544 is an email sent to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport requesting an updated briefing on drones and air traffic security, in light of our meeting on the topic on 23 October. I propose that we note that correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We now turn to correspondence received by the committee. Correspondence No. 2019/542 is an email from Mr. Seán Murphy, the manager of public affairs at the ESB, 23 October, advising that ESB eCars plans to introduce pricing to support electric vehicle, EV, network expansion. I propose that we note that correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Correspondence No. 2019/545 is an email from the policy adviser to the joint committee, attaching an article from the Sunday Business Post, published on 2 November, on the school bus scheme, which refers to a meeting of the joint committee. That has been circulated for the information of members.

Correspondence No. 2019/546a is an email from our Vice Chairman, Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe, attaching for the consideration of the committee No. 2019/546b, a letter from Mr. Niall McCarthy, managing director of Cork Airport, regarding statements made at a joint committee meeting. Deputy O'Keeffe is not here at the moment but he may raise this when he comes in, with the agreement of other members.