Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Can we agree to note the listing of accounts and financial statements with those extra pieces inserted? Agreed. As usual, the listing of accounts and financial statements will be published as part of our minutes.

I will move to correspondence. As previously agreed, items that were not flagged for discussion for this meeting will continue to be dealt with in accordance with the proposed actions circulated, and decisions taken by the committee in respect of correspondence are recorded in the minutes of the committee’s meetings and published on the our webpage. The first category of correspondence under which members have flagged items for discussion is correspondence from Accounting Officers and-or Ministers and follow-up to committee meetings. There are two items to be dealt with. Deputy Catherine Murphy cannot be here this afternoon. I know we have put this back. Normally, we put things back for one week and then deal with them but the Deputy asked for my indulgence on this matter and to hold back that piece until next week, if the committee is agreeable. It is No. 1726B, dated 7 February 2023, from Ms Mary Hurley, Secretary General of the Department of Rural and Community Development. We will hold that back until next week.

No. 1755 also relates to Benefacts. It is from Mr. David Moloney, Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and dated 21 February 2023. It provides further information requested by the committee regarding Benefacts. I propose that we hold back those two correspondence items. They are on the same subject. Is that agreed? Agreed. We will deal with them next week. I will not put them back for three weeks in a row.

No. 1733B is from Mr. Robert Watt, Secretary General, Department of Health, dated 9 February 2023, providing information requested by the committee regarding the new national maternity hospital and the spending code. At our meeting last week, we agreed to note and publish this item and to hold it over for consideration this week. I propose that we deal with it now. Does any member wish to address this item?