I advise members of the committee to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the sound system and therefore their voices will not be caught properly by the broadcasting system. I have received apologies from na Teachtaí Martin Heydon and Éamon Ó Cuív. I propose that we go into private session to deal with a number of issues. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Business of Joint Committee
The joint committee went into private session at 2.25 p.m. and resumed in public session at 2.43 p.m.
The committee has received correspondence from Mr. Bemis, who wishes to clarify the record of the discussion we had at the last meeting of the committee.
Clerk to the Committee
The following is a cover note from Mr. Terry Allen, principal officer in the National Monuments Service:
A chara,
Please see email below from Mr Gregg Bemis, the owner of the Lusitania, with regard to the Joint Committee’s meeting on 1 March 2017 in relation to the protection of underwater archaeology and, in particular, the Lusitania.
You will note that Mr Bemis is anxious to have the official record corrected to remove any misapprehension that Mr Eoin McGarry was acting as his employee while diving on the Lusitania.
In the course of the hearing I did indeed indicate to the Committee my mistaken belief that Mr McGarry was involved in such a capacity. In light of Mr Bemis' email I would entirely accept that this was never the case.
I would appreciate any action you may be able to take in response to Mr Bemis’ request. Please also accept my sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused by this misunderstanding on my part.
The short e-mail from Mr. Bemis reads:
Attention Mr. Terry Allen: Thanks very much for sending me the transcript of your parliamentary hearing. There is one particular correction that I would appreciate your passing on for correction to the official records of the hearing. You referred, casually in passing, to Mr. Eoin McGarry as my employee. That is absolutely not the case. He has been a wonderful and valued partner in this heroic effort at research and recovery regarding the Lusitania but he has never been an employee. I hope this correction can be implemented.
Thank you. Gregg Bemis
We will now go into private session while our guests for the next session join us. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The joint committee went into private session at 2.44 p.m. and resumed in public session at 2.46 p.m.