We now proceed to the election of the Vice Chairman. I will take nominations for that position.
Election of Vice Chairman.
I congratulate the Chairman, Deputy O'Rourke, on her election and wish her every success. I assure her of our support. I apologise for the absence of Deputy Noonan who is recovering from heart bypass surgery. I nominate Deputy Noonan as Vice Chairman of this committee.
I second that nomination.
Are there any other nominations for Vice Chairman? No. Deputy Michael Noonan is hereby elected Vice Chairman of the committee.
I thank the committee for the trust being placed in me. I hope we will all work very hard on this committee. I hope to work in an inclusive manner. We have an opportunity and a challenge in the mandate which has been given to us. I do not intend to lecture but, as we are all aware, the Constitution belongs to the people. It is very important that we would get the views of the public, interested parties, office and title holders and representative bodies and groups. I look forward to working together in a cross-party way. I expect that is how we will proceed. We will all have full and proper legal advice on which I will elaborate in the private session. The reason each of us has been appointed to the committee is in order to bring our polictical acumen and experience to bear on its workings. The mix is a good one in terms of the composition of the committee and the advice that will be available to us.
I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brendan Smith. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is also due. He may have been delayed en route but he will attend. Both Ministers are ex officio members of the committee. Many others wish to have their voices heard and we will consider this also.
Our task is an onerous one. The Bill to amend the Constitution which was presented on 16 February 2007 has already evoked considerable discussion. The Bill should also be viewed in the context of the recommendations set out in the report of the Joint Committee on Child Protection, of which Deputy Peter Power was the Chair. Other members included Deputy Brendan Howlin, now Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Olwyn Enright and Senator Geraldine Feeney, who sends her apologies. There will be a sense of continuity with the work of that committee. I welcome the newly elected and re-elected Members and I acknowledge that we are all equal in the task which is set out for us.
I believe we can all approach our work in an unbiased manner. I will endeavour to be as fair as I can be and impartial to all members of the committee.