Apologies have been received from the Minister, Ms Michelle Gildernew, MLA, MP, Lady Sylvia Hermon, MP, and Mr. Eddie McGrady, MP. I remind members and those in the public Gallery to ensure that their mobile telephones and blackberrys are switched off for the duration of the meeting, as even on silent mode they cause interference with the recording equipment in our committee rooms. I ask that everyone respect this instruction.
The minutes of our last public meeting on 30 October 2008 have been circulated. Do any matters arise? Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.
Two items of correspondence are to be noted. One letter, dated 8 November 2008, was sent by me as Chairman to congratulate President Obama on his election and to welcome his plan to appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland in due course. Another letter, dated 18 November 2008, was sent by me as Chairman to express the committee's condolences to Lady Sylvia Hermon, MP, on the death of her husband, Sir Jack Hermon. Is it agreed to note these items? Agreed.