Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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The draft minutes of the meeting of 3 July have been circulated to all members. Are the minutes agreed?

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I was unable to attend the last meeting but I asked for a report on the Irish Immigration Centre in Boston. The Department told the committee it was happy with a report it had received and I wonder whether anything came of this.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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We were to get an update from the Department.

Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I can raise the matter when we discuss correspondence.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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It might be better if the Senator did so. Are the minutes of the meeting of 3 July agreed? Agreed.

I welcome a new member of the team, Mr. John Deady, who is joining us as an adviser from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has huge experience in foreign affairs and trade and has served as an ambassador in a number of countries. Since Ms Olive Hempenstall left we have not had an adviser, which has been a hindrance to the committee, and Mr. Deady's experience will be very supportive to the committee. He will be in touch with the Department on a regular basis to let us know what is happening and we will have far speedier communication. We are delighted to have Mr. Deady, albeit on a temporary basis. He will help the committee with its work programme given his experience as a former diplomat.