As we have the required quorum of four members, including one Deputy and one Senator, we will begin. I ask members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones so that they do not interfere with the sound system and the broadcasting of this meeting. We have received apologies from Senator Maura Hopkins.
Before discussing the issues on today's agenda, I propose that we invite Mr. Paddy McGuinness, the former chairman of the Western Development Commission who resigned recently, to an upcoming meeting of this committee so that we can get an understanding of his perspective on what is necessary to develop a viable rural community. Is that agreed? Agreed.