Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No apologies have been received.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if members' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with such a direction.

The first item on the agenda is the minutes, which have been circulated. Are the minutes of the last meeting agreed? Agreed.

Next, I again wish to raise the issue of the nomination-----

Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to convey the apologies of Deputy Shay Brennan and Senator Davitt. Both are attending another meeting and may attend here if they can.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We will note that. I thank Deputy McCormack.

As agreed at the first meeting of the committee, members are requested to send forward nominations for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach to the secretariat by 28 May. At our previous meeting, I suggested that the Leas-Chathaoirleach might come from the Opposition. Members from the Government parties are not excluded but I thought it was fair not to have the Government parties dominating the full thing. It is up to the members to decide in due course. Is it agreed for people to get their nominations in by 28 May? Agreed.

At our previous meeting, we agreed to invite Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority to attend our meeting on 11 June. Would the committee members also agree to invite officials from the Department of Transport? We want all three groups rather than having the first two groups saying it is a matter for the Department. We are better having representatives of the three groups here who can answer. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I want to deal with a few items of correspondence that have been received by the committee since it was established. There is a letter from Deputy Sheehan on inviting the Minster for housing to outline his proposals for the housing activation office. I call on Deputy Sheehan to introduce his correspondence briefly. Actually, he is not here. Does the committee agree that the correspondence will be considered as part of our work programme? Agreed.

We have correspondence from the National Youth Council of Ireland on the inclusion of youth engagement. The council would like to propose that each Oireachtas committee include a specific mandate in its terms of reference and work plan to involve young people in policy discussions and consider the impact of decisions on young people within the policy area. Can we agree to note that and add it to our discussions when we come to our work programme in the relatively near future? Agreed.

We have correspondence from Gas Networks Ireland to brief the committee. Does the committee agree to note this correspondence and consider it as part of our work programme? Agreed.

There is a request from Aeravai to meet me as Cathaoirleach of the committee and an offer to brief the committee on current developments in the space of autonomous vehicles and electric aviation, eVTOLs and how these will affect current proposed transport infrastructure investments in the future and their viability. Can we also agree to note that correspondence and to consider it for inclusion when we are drawing up the work programme? Agreed.

I want to go back to the correspondence from Deputy Sheehan on inviting the Minister for housing, as the Deputy has arrived. I propose that we note the correspondence and consider it when we are drawing up our work programme. Does the Deputy want to add anything or is that adequate? We have not drawn up our work programme yet.

Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I wrote the letter because many of the issues we are having at the moment with housing delivery actually relate to infrastructure. Yesterday, the housing committee heard from the CCMA, which outlined how 30% of local authority land could not be developed because it was not serviced with the necessary infrastructure.

It would be useful to hear from the Minister specifically about the issues to this committee in that regard.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When we draw up our work programme, as soon as is practicable, that item of correspondence will be taken into consideration. The next item on our agenda is a discussion with Department officials.