Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport debate -
Wednesday, 13 Jun 2018

Business of Joint Committee (Resumed)

Chairman

Before we commence our main business I wish to deal with correspondence.

No. 2018/286 is an email from Mr. Donal Kissane, Gas Networks Ireland, regarding decarbonising the transport sector. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2018/287 and 287A is an email and attachment from Ms Cáit Hayes regarding an interparliamentary committee meeting on the EU investing in its transport networks beyond 2020 on Wednesday, 20 June 2018. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2018/288 is an email from Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP regarding recent EU Commission proposals to amend the Motor Insurance Directive. It is proposed to consider this item in the course of the committee's scrutiny of this proposal which is not officially before us yet but I am advised it will be shortly. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2018/289 is a press release from Freight Transport Association Ireland regarding logistics associate apprenticeship. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 2018/290 is an email from Deputy Rock concerning the new core bus corridor routes and a request that the National Transport Authority, NTA, should be invited to appear before the joint committee. I have forwarded that email to the clerk to the committee and he has agreed to invite them to appear before us. We hope that they will come before the joint committee next Wednesday, if members will agree to a special meeting.

Deputy Robert Troy

Chairman, there is no problem at all with the representatives of the National Transport Authority coming before the joint committee, but I do not understand how we can facilitate them next week.

I was under the impression that our work programme was full until the end of the year.

Chairman

I propose to hold a special meeting to accommodate the witnesses.

Deputy Robert Troy

Chairman, am I correct that we were due to meet next Wednesday?

Chairman

Let me clarify. A number of other issues have arisen. The Clerk to the Committee has sought to have two special meetings to deal with a number of issues raised by members. One member of this committee and other Members of the Oireachtas contacted me about the National Transport Authority, NTA, proposals. We got an email from Deputy Rock-----

Deputy Robert Troy

I have no problem with that. The reason I asked the question is because I thought we had a full agenda up to the end of the year and were due to meet as normal next week, however, the Chairman then mentioned holding a special meeting at that time.

Chairman

I can give the Deputy an answer. We are in public session and the clerk to the committee cannot speak officially. If my recollection is correct, we were to have a meeting-----

Deputy Robert Troy

What was on the agenda for next week's meeting?

Chairman

Pre-legislative scrutiny. We are looking for an additional day or two if we can to have two special meetings to discuss separate issues from what has been arranged.

Deputy Robert Troy

Our normal meeting on pre-legislative scrutiny would be held on Wednesday, 20 June and it will go ahead.

Chairman

The pre-legislative scrutiny will be discussed on the following week on Wednesday, 27 June.

We are trying to include additional items that are of public interest.