I apologise on behalf of the Chairman who has not arrived yet. He may do so during the course of the meeting in which case I will vacate the Chair.
Deputy Reilly who has to leave has asked for the indulgence of the Chair to make a brief statement before the presentation begins.
I thank the Vice Chairman and hope this will not be seen as pre-emptive. I have met Mr. Ó Briain, Ms McCarrick, Mr. O'Brien, Ms Walls and the other members of the group and taken on board what they have had to say. I am sure the committee will take the view that there is much merit in what they propose. They have made four requests which I would be in a position to support, but I have to leave the meeting. Deputy Doyle will be substituting for me and I presume he will have my voting rights.
I cannot allow the Deputy to go into detail. That is up to the deputation.
A number of serious issues arise regarding the abolition of posts and the manner in which files were kept. The committee has a job of work to do in investigating what happened on a broader level, as well as the actual rights of those who lost their jobs and were not offered proper terms and conditions when they had to leave their posts. I thank the Vice Chairman for her indulgence.
