I nominate Senator Michael Finucane to the position of vice-Chairman. He is a former Front Bench spokesperson on the Marine for Fine Gael and has a great depth of knowledge of the area. He has shown balance and experience and I am fully confident that he would be able to discharge his duties as vice-Chairman of this committee.
Election of Vice-Chairman.
I formally second the nomination of Senator Finucane for the vice-Chairman of this committee. I too have full confidence in his ability to be vice-Chairman.
Are there any other nominations? As there are no other nominations I declare Senator Finucane to be elected vice-Chairman and I look forward to working with him.
I formally acknowledge Deputies Coveney and Kehoe for proposing and seconding me. This is an area in which I am very interested. I am party spokesman in the Seanad on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and was the Front Bench spokesman on the Marine and Natural Resources in the Dáil previously. I always felt that when it was covered by the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the agriculture and food elements dominated. It is important that it has its own niche and with the added responsibility for communications I have no doubt this will be an active and progressive committee. I look forward to working with the Chairman.
The joint committee went into private session at 2.37 p.m. and adjourned at 4.13 p.m.