Apologies have been received from the Chairman and Senator O'Mahony. Before we begin, I remind members to turn off their mobile phones completely or put them on silent mode.
Business of Committee
The joint committee went into private session at 9.40 a.m. and resumed in public session at 9.46 a.m.
Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery to turn off their mobile phones.
We will go through our correspondence before moving on to the main business of the day. The first item of correspondence is an email, dated 21 February, from Deputy Munster regarding committee business. We discussed this matter earlier, which will be postponed until the next meeting.
We have received correspondence from Mr. Cormac O'Rourke, chairman designate of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, making corrections to evidence he gave at the meeting of 21 February. It is proposed that this correspondence be accepted. Is that agreed? Agreed.
We have received correspondence from Deputy Catherine Martin requesting that Transdev Ireland be invited before the committee to discuss issues on the green, red and cross city lines. It is proposed that we schedule this meeting within the committee's work times. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next item of correspondence is a letter from Mr. Chris Smith, private secretary to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, declining the invitation to attend today's meeting, as the Minister is abroad on official business. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next item of correspondence is an email and attachment from Mr. Ronan Gill of CIÉ forwarding a comprehensive note about CIÉ pensions, which are the matter of today's discussions. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Next is a letter from Mr. Ray Coyne of Dublin Bus declining the invitation to attend today's meeting. That is noted. There was also a second letter from Mr. Coyne declining the invitation.
Mr. David Begg of the Pensions Authority has written to decline the invitation to attend today's meeting. Mr. Jim Meade of Irish Rail has also declined the invitation. We note both items of correspondence.
Correspondence has been received from Mr. Kieran Delaney requesting to appear before the committee to discuss public transport accessibility for people with disabilities. I propose that we slot this into the overall committee agenda. Is that agreed? Agreed.