The first item on the agenda is the election of a chairperson. I invite nominations for the position of Chairman.
Election of Chairman.
Clerk to the Committee
I propose Deputy Sean Fleming for the position of Chairman.
I second the motion.
Clerk to the Committee
As there are no other nominations, I deem Deputy Fleming to be elected to the Chair and ask him to take the Chair.
Deputy Sean Fleming took the Chair.
I sincerely thank the committee for electing me to the Chair. It is both an honour and a privilege. I look forward very much to the co-operation of all members in my chairing of what would appear will be a very busy committee. Members can be assured of my complete impartiality and fairness in addressing their concerns about the work of the committee. I want to stress that I hope we can work together and make it an efficient and productive committee.
I welcome those of you who are new members of this committee, particularly those who are newly elected members of Dáil or Seanad. I take this opportunity to thank the Chairman and members of the former committee for their commitment and dedication and for the work they completed. I hope we can be as productive in this Dáil as they were in the last. The next item on the agenda is the election of vice-Chairman.
Election of Vice-Chairman.