The first item on the agenda is the election of a Chairman following the appointment of Deputy M. J. Nolan to the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I am seeking nominations for the vacancy. Ceapadh an Teachta M.J Nolan ar an gCoiste um Fuinneamh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha agus iarraim ainmniúcháin don folúntas.
Election of Chairman.
Clerk to the Committee
I should like to nominate Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher.
Clerk to the Committee
Aon ainmniúchán eile? Níl. Any other nominations? No. Glacann an Teachta Pat the Cope Gallagher an Chathaoir. I invite Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher to take the Chair.
Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher took the Chair.
Sula gcuirfidh mé tús leis an gclár oibre don chrinniú inniu, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do na comhaltaí go léir atá anseo as ucht mé a ainmniú d'aon ghuth agus geallaim daoibh go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall agus go dtabharfaidh mé cothrom na féinne do gach aon duine, is cuma cén áit as a dtagann siad taobh istigh den seomra seo. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl, go háirithe do na páirtithe san bhFreasúra ós rud é gur ghlac siad liomsa d'aon ghuth mar Chathaoirleach.
D'ár ndóigh is onóir faoi leith domsa é, agus déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall, mar a dúirt mé, cothrom na féinne a thabhairt do gach aon duine. Tá fonn ormsa leanúint leis an gcomhchoiste in san obair atá ar siúl agaibh, na baill, agus tá fhios agam go bhfuil go leor obair déanta agaibh roimh ré. Is coiste úr an ceann seo agus mar a deirtear sa mBéarla, it is uncharted waters in many respects, and that seems to be topical at the moment. Tá clár oibre déanta amach agaibhse agus más gá an clár oibre sin a athrú ó am go ham, is cinnte go bhfuil an ceart sin againn go léir.
I first want to thank the members for selecting me unanimously as the Chairman of the Joint Committee for Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I thank the members of the Opposition in particular for agreeing to my unanimous appointment as Chairman.
I suggest we now go into private session to deal with a few housekeeping matters.
The joint committee went into private session at 4.25 p.m. and resumed in public session at 4.37 p.m.