As we have a quorum I call the meeting to order. The first item is the election of a Chairman. I invite nominations.
Election of Chairman
Clerk to the Committee
I propose Deputy Andrew Doyle as chairperson of the committee. Deputy Doyle and I share the same constituency, although we do not represent the same part of the constituency. It is an honour for me to propose his name. He has vast experience, particularly in agriculture. He is a former spokesperson for our party on agriculture and played a key role in a previous committee on climate change issues. It is a pleasure for me to propose Deputy Andrew Doyle for the position of Chairman.
I second the proposal that Deputy Andrew Doyle be appointed Chairman.
I propose Deputy Thomas Pringle. He comes from a coastal community and one of the biggest fishing areas of the country, Killybegs. Fishing is one of the most deprived sectors of the economy. Someone with his experience, as a fisherman and coastal community worker, would be invaluable to the committee. I propose him.
I second that proposal.
Clerk to the Committee
As there are more than one nomination for the position of Chairman, I will deal with the nominations in the order in which they were submitted.
Question, "That Deputy Andrew Doyle be appointed Chairman of the joint committee", put and declared carried.
Clerk to the Committee
I declare Deputy Andrew Doyle Chairman of the committee and I invite him to take the Chair.
Deputy Andrew Doyle took the Chair.
I thank Deputies Pat Deering and Noel Harrington for proposing me as Chairman and all members for the honour of agreeing to my appointment. The committee has a very broad scope, covering two Departments and encompassing in its remit most of our natural resources - offshore, onshore, in the air and in the ground. These are key areas for driving the economy back to a state of health, and an extensive programme of work awaits us. The membership incorporates a good mix of experienced and new Members. The committee has effectively subsumed three former committees, those dealing with agriculture, climate change, and communications and energy. We inherit a substantial body of work from those committees, but much remains to be done.
It is important that we do not bog ourselves down in trying to do too much. To that end, I propose, as a general method of work, that we deal in a timely fashion with specific tasks, set targets and seek to achieve them. There is work to be built on from the previous committees but we must set about it in a structured way. Colleagues will know I am not one to play political cards or create division and I will do my best to facilitate everybody.