The first item on the agenda is the election of the Chairman. Pursuant to Standing Order 91, I invite nominations for the position of Chairman.
Election of Chairman.
Clerk to the Committee
I nominate Deputy Michael Ahern.
Clerk to the Committee
As there are no other nominations, I declare Deputy Michael Ahern elected Chairman of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service and call on him to take the Chair.
Deputy Michael Ahern took the Chair.
I thank the committee for electing me as Chairman. It is an honour and a privilege, as well as a kind of ground hog day, as I was Chairman of this committee five or six years ago. It is nice, in a way, to get back into the Chair. I look forward to working with you all in a spirit of co-operation and partnership. Members can be assured of my impartiality and fairness in addressing their concerns regarding the work of the committee. I hope we can work together to ensure that the work of this committee continues to be carried out effectively and productively.
I take this opportunity to thank the former Chairman, Deputy Michael Finneran, the former Vice Chairman, Deputy Martin Mansergh and former committee member, Deputy Peter Power, for their commitment and dedication to the work of the committee and wish them well in their new posts.