Apologies have been received from Deputy Dinny McGinley. I would also like to welcome Mr. Paul Maskey, MP.
I remind members, guests and those in the Gallery to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as it causes interference.
At the outset I wish to congratulate all those involved in reaching agreement in the talks in Northern Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, the parties in Northern Ireland and the British Government were intensely engaged in talks on the future of Northern Ireland and it is very positive that a successful conclusion was reached. I would like to thank all the parties involved in reaching that successful conclusion. We hope to have the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, address the committee on the talks in December.
We have some housekeeping matters to consider and I propose we go into private session to deal with them.