Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I remind members to switch off their mobile phones as they can affect the broadcasting and recording equipment in the committee room.

I would like to raise one item in private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The minutes of the meetings of 12 and 19 December 2018 have been circulated. Are they agreed to? Agreed.

Before we commence the main business of the meeting, I wish to deal with a number of items of correspondence. No. 2019/373 is a letter received from the Journal Office regarding the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulations Bill which will be the subject of a meeting after this one.

No. 2018/37, (a) and (b), is a letter received from the clerk to the Joint Committee on European Affairs. It is proposed to note this item of correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/375 is an email received from Mr. Kevin Doyle in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It is proposed that the committee reply to him to request that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport liaise with the various bodies in advance of the Minister appearing before the committee for the periodic review of the implementation status of the recommendations made in its report on the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/376 is an email received from Deputy Ruth Coppinger. The items mentioned have been included in our work programme for 2019.

No. 2019/377 is an email received from the office of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. I understand the Minister is keen to approve the appointment of the chairperson designate of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board as soon as possible. It is proposed, therefore, with the consent of the committee, that the meeting be scheduled for 30 January. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/378 is an email received from the Football Association of Ireland apologising for representatives not being available but expressing their availability to come on 20 February. Is it agreed to reschedule the meeting for that date? Agreed.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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It will be at 1.30 p.m.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Yes. We have received correspondence from Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh which is to be added to our annual work programme. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/380 is an email from the Clerk of the Seanad attaching the tenth report of the Committee of Selection. I propose to note it. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/381 is an email from Mr. Darren Clarke, private secretary to the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, acknowledging receipt of an email regarding a meeting. Is it agreed that this correspondence be noted? Agreed.

No. 2019/382 is an email from Mr. Chris Smith from the Minister's office. Is it agreed to note this correspondence, as it is the subject of today's meeting? Agreed.

No. 2019/383 is also an email from Mr. Chris Smith to schedule the attendance of the Minister, Deputy Ross, to discuss Brexit and other issues on 6 February. Is it agreed to note it? Agreed.

No. 2019/384 is an email from the office of the Secretary General at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport confirming that the Secretary General will appear today.

No. 2019/385 is a letter from Mr. Myles O'Reilly, general secretary of the Taxi Dispatch Operators Representative Association. Is it agreed to consider this matter in our work programme? Agreed.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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We will consider it in the context of our work programme. Until when does our work programme run?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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It was agreed before Christmas and this matter has been added to it.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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That is only for consideration.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Yes. We will go through the matters we agreed. The FAI is one of those. We can look at this again after that. We will consider any requests.

No. 2019/386 is an email from Ms Rea Walshe, corporate affairs and licensing director of the FAI. It is proposed to note this item and schedule it for a meeting on 20 February. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/387 is an email advising me of a conference about transport this morning in the French embassy. I propose to note that.

No. 2019/388 is an email from Mr. Chris Smith, private secretary to the Minister, Deputy Ross. I propose to note this item, which will be discussed on 6 February. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/389 is an email from Ms Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority. I propose to arrange for members who are available a meeting on the next phase of the BusConnects bus corridor project. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next item of correspondence is from me and relates to correspondence from Ms Pauline McGuinness of a residents association about the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018. I propose we note that.

No. 2019/391 is an email from me to the committee regarding correspondence from Mr. Stuart Gilhooly. I propose that we note that correspondence, which we discussed earlier, and act as we agreed.

No. 2019/392 is an email from me regarding correspondence from a residents association about BusConnects corridors. It is proposed that we consider that as part of our work programme. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2019/393 is an email from Mr. Chris Smith, who has been very busy, from the Minister's office dated 22 January. This relates to a Brexit memorandum. It is proposed to note this and discuss the matter on 6 February. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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On 20 February at 1.30 p.m. The Senator will be there.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Was correspondence received from Deputy Troy?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Yes, it was received today and will be discussed next week.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I will leave the matter in the Deputy's capable hands. I will explain that to him.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Before we commence our main business, on behalf of members of the committee, I welcome Senator Mark Daly who joins us as a new member. We look forward to working with him during the remainder of the current Dáil. I pay tribute to Senator Ned O'Sullivan, who Senator Daly is replacing, and record our appreciation for his contribution to the work of the committee.