At the outset, I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.
The first item on the agenda is the minutes of the meeting of 8 July. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.
Moving to the next item on the agenda, we have six items of correspondence. No. 49/2026 follows on from a request for information from MetroLink. Follow-up information has been received from MetroLink following the meeting of 8 July. It provides clarification as to who has accountability for delivery of MetroLink following the establishment of the statutory delivery board, the discussions that have been held on giving MetroLink an Irish version of its name, and details of the works carried out relating to the €3 million payment to Hammerson plc, as discussed with the Committee of Public Accounts the previous evening. Does anyone have any questions on that correspondence? Otherwise, we will note and publish the information and people can use the information as they see fit. We are agreed on that.
The next item is No. 50/2026, an email received from Ms Mary Harkin of the organisation Age and Opportunity. Attached to the email is a pre-budget submission in respect of budget 2027. Age and Opportunity is a national organisation working to create opportunities that empower older people to enhance individual and community well-being through participation in physical activity, recreation, arts and creativity, personal development and active citizenship initiatives. I suggest that we note and publish this correspondence. We will not discuss it. I am sure every Member of the Oireachtas has been inundated with pre-budget submissions from a variety of organisations. It is up to individual Members to deal with these as they see fit.
The next item is No. 51/2026, an ESB Networks press release regarding the recruitment of up to 100 qualified electricians nationwide. This was received from Seán Murphy of the ESB to inform the committee of ESB Networks' plan to recruit up to 100 qualified electricians nationwide. That is good news. Mr. Murphy has just sent it on to us for our information.
