Thank you, everyone. I welcome you all to our public virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams. We have received apologies from Deputy Martin Browne and Senator Craughwell.
The first note I have is on housekeeping. The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Deputy Ó Fearghaíl, and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Mark Daly, have appealed to everybody in the parliamentary community to continue to follow public health advice, wear a mask and maintain social distancing. I request that members, witnesses and staff use the wipes and hand sanitisers provided to clean seats and desks that are shared so as to supplement regular sanitation. This will help to mitigate the risk of Covid-19, including the Delta variant, spreading among the parliamentary community. Members and all in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene and they will notice that every second seat has been removed to facilitate social distancing. I urge them not to move any chair from its current position. They should also always maintain an appropriate level of social distance during and after the meeting. Masks, preferably of medical grade, should always be worn during the meeting except when members are speaking. I ask them for their full co-operation on this.
Moving to the first item of the committee's business, I need approval for the minutes of the previous meeting. I propose we approve the minutes of the private and public meetings on 16 September 2021, already approved in virtual private meetings. Is that agreed? Agreed.