Next on the agenda is the preferred day and time for future meetings. The last committee met at 4.15 p.m. on a Wednesday, a time slot that seemed to suit most members. With members' approval, I will ask the clerk to try to secure that slot for future meetings. Do any members have another preference?
Business of Joint Committee.
Is mian liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Teachta Nolan ar bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach. Guím go n-éireoidh go maith leis sna blianta amach romhainn.
Several of us are also members of other committees. The 4.15 p.m. time slot is fine for me but it may present difficulties for others. Is there any mechanism by which the schedules of the various committees can be co-ordinated? None of us would like to experience a scheduling clash whereby we would have to choose one committee meeting over another.
Deputy McGinley's concern will be shared by all members who are also members of any committee other than this. I understand some are members of three committees. Perhaps members might suggest a second suitable time slot in the event that we do not secure the 4.15 p.m. slot on Wednesday.
Would the 2.30 p.m. slot on Wednesday be suitable?
That might clash with the Order of Business in the Seanad.
The committee of which I was a member during the last term always met at 2.30 p.m., although it was sometimes on a Tuesday.
There was generally a good attendance at the 4.15 p.m. meetings of the last committee. It makes sense to retain that slot.
I second that.
We are agreed on a time slot of 4.15 p.m. on Wednesdays. The working group of Chairmen will decide on the particular slots but I will put forward this time slot as our preferred option.
The joint committee went into private session at 2.40 p.m. and adjourned at 3.05 p.m until 12 noon on Tuesday, 20 November 2007.