I apologise to Mr. Boyle and his colleagues. We did not realise so many votes would be called in the Dáil. A vote is taking place now and more votes will be called between now and 1 p.m. Some members suggested we should adjourn this meeting until a date early in January. Perhaps we could agree a date before the Dáil resumes on 13 January, if that is possible for Mr. Boyle, but I am not putting the delegates under any pressure to do so.
Business of Joint Committee.
There are urgent issues to be dealt with, Chairman. Would 6, 7 or 8 January be agreeable?
If that was agreeable to the members I would not have a problem with one of those dates, but it depends on whether Mr. Boyle and his colleagues are available.
Mr. Gerry Boyle
We will make ourselves available.
Many people have questions to ask the delegates about concerns in their areas. We must vacate this room by 2 p.m. at the latest as another meeting will be held here at 2.15 p.m. It would be impossible to deal with those concerns now. We will get very little work done now that a vote has been called. Is that agreeable to Mr. Boyle and his colleagues?
Mr. Gerry Boyle
It is, Chairman.
We are sorry about this.
We all apologise to Mr. Boyle.
Mr. Gerry Boyle
We are happy to appear before the committee on any occasion.
We are happy to have you attend.
Mr. Gerry Boyle
I am not sure of the date——
We will leave it with the clerk to the committee to arrange that.
Mr. Gerry Boyle
——but we will certainly try to accommodate the committee.
Yes. We could meet on 6, 7 or 8 January. Is that agreed? Agreed. The meeting is adjourned until 11.30 a.m., on Wednesday, 13 January. I wish all the members and the staff the very best of luck, a happy Christmas and health and happiness in the new year.
The joint committee adjourned at 12.40 p.m. until 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 13 January 2010.