In accordance with current guidelines all documentation for this meeting has been circulated to members using MS Teams. Apologies have been received from Deputy Ó Murchú and Senator Keogan. This is my first time as Chair, and it is a great honour to have been appointed Chair of this committee. I look forward to working with everyone. I know there is a spirit of partnership and co-operation. I was privileged to be a member of this committee during the last Dáil. I look forward to the opportunity to re-engage with it. I thank my predecessor, Deputy McHugh, for the hard work done by him and the committee during his term. I need to make a declaration, which is something that needs to be done upon taking up the Chair:
I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Chairperson of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.
