I welcome the Vice Chairman, Deputy Martin Brady, the convenor, Deputy Callanan, and members of the joint committee to the meeting. We have received apologies from Deputies Howlin and Pat Breen. Members send their good wishes to Deputy Breen who was hospitalised over Christmas, although I understand he is making a good recovery. He is a young man and the pressures of the Oireachtas can take their toll on the best of us.
The joint committee went into private session at 11.33 a.m. and resumed in public session at 11.38 a.m.