John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

I fully agree with members. There is a real level of dissatisfaction and anger among members, myself included. There have been attempts over the past year to get representatives of the Peter McVerry Trust to appear before the Oireachtas joint committee on housing. Different arguments had been given as to why they could not or would not appear before the committee. We have the ultimate responsibility in terms of oversight and governance as to how taxpayers' money is spent. Members have given figures regarding the huge sums of money received by the Peter McVerry Trust via the Exchequer. There needs to be accountability.

I propose that we write immediately to the Peter McVerry Trust imploring it to come in at the earliest opportunity and that we will be examining what options are open to us in terms of extending our remit. I propose that we engage with the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform to explore what options are open to us at this point. As members said, it is deeply unsatisfactory and disheartening when an organisation such as the Peter McVerry Trust does not actually take cognisance of the last word in its name: "trust". Public trust is at the foremost here. People cannot have trust in how public money is being spent and the governance around that. That is deeply concerning. Is it agreed that we follow that course of action? Agreed. Are there any other actions relating to the correspondence that members wish to propose? No.

The committee has agreed its work programme until the summer recess. Next week on 26 June, An Garda Síochána and the Commissioner will appear before the committee. On 3 July, Children's Health Ireland and NTPF will come in. On 10 July, the Department of public expenditure and reform with representation from the NSSO will appear before the committee. On 17 July, HIQA and the Department will appear before us. Is that agreed? Agreed. Are there any other items committee members wish to discuss? No.

That concludes our consideration of the correspondence this week. We will suspend briefly and resume with our engagement with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Go raibh maith agaibh.