I invite nominations for the position of vice-Chairman.
Election of Vice-Chairman.
I propose Deputy Conor Lenihan.
I second that.
Is that agreed? Agreed. I congratulate Deputy Conor Lenihan on becoming vice-Chairman.
I value the unanimous support of the committee. I hope I can play a role alongside the Chairman and the honourable members of the Opposition. I was a member of this committee for five years. It is a very good committee and I look forward to working in harmony with its members, particularly those from Opposition parties. I served as a Government convenor on this committee for two years and both sides worked well together. We can achieve a great deal by working together rather than by fighting. That has been my experience on this committee and I hope it will continue to be the case. I thank my colleagues.
I congratulate Deputy Lenihan on his election to the position of vice-Chairman. I had no difficulty in seconding his nomination because at times we do not know whether he is a member of the Government or the Opposition.
I congratulate the Deputy. He has considerable experience on this committee. He, and the Chairman, will comprise a strong team who will ensure the committee works well.
I look forward to working closely with Deputy Conor Lenihan for the next four-and-a-half years. He is a very experienced parliamentarian.
The working programme has to be agreed. I was proposing to nominate Deputy Hogan to chair the sub-committee on the working programme, with four other members - Deputies Howlin, Conor Lenihan and Callanan, convenor to the committee, and Senator Leyden - to serve on it. Is that agreed? Agreed. The work programme will be prepared and submitted to the sub-committee as soon as we can reach agreement on it.