As I do not think I will appear before the committee again before the election, I thank the members of the committee, on my behalf and on behalf of my officials, for the work they have done during the lifetime of the Government. This has been one of the most productive committees. I did not expect to be treated softly by the committee but that members would be well briefed and would raise important issues. That was my experience. This committee probably compiled more reports than any other committee. Those reports were all useful to me and to my Department. We did not always agree but I acknowledge the work of the committee and thank you, Chairman, and the members of the committee. I thank the staff of the committee for their help and co-operation.
Business of Select Committee.
I thank you, Chairman, for your presidential opulence and for the way you have conducted the business of the meetings since I have been a member of the committee. I thank the committee officials, who have done a great amount of work. I try to do all my own research, so I appreciate the workload of the staff of the committee. I also acknowledge the work of those who record the business of the meetings.
I wish the Minister and his staff good luck on the road that lies ahead. That road is neither straight nor smooth but travelling it gives us a great insight into what the people think. I thank the departmental officials for their briefing sessions and for the work they have done. I thank the Minister for his help and co-operation — we did not mean all hard things we said to the Minister but it was important to say them and to say them with conviction. If we do not say such things with conviction we will not be believed; we may not be believed anyway.
I have been a member of the committee since I succeeded Deputy Simon Coveney two years ago. It has been said to me in making a comparison, that Deputy Coveney was a gentleman. I do not know how that reflects on me. However, my time on the committee has been most enjoyable.
The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will meet tomorrow when Mr. Peter O'Neill, assistant secretary, will appear before the committee to talk about the Department's report on the health effects of mobile phone masts. I congratulate the Minister on this report. I know he found the report of the joint committee helpful in compiling it.
I thank the Minister for his comments. The members and I put our hearts and souls into our work on the committee. I hope those watching us this evening will understand that. We have tried to add value to the work of the committee and of the Minister and his Department. We tried to bring issues to the fore and much of our work has been helpful to the Department. We have worked hard for the past five years. I will not comment on the remarks attributed to Deputy Coveney. I have enjoyed working with Deputy Durkan in the past two years. I have enjoyed working with all members.
I thank the officials for their support and co-operation. My experience as a Chairman has prepared me for work in some other area. I hope I will not be a committee chairman in the new Dáil but, most importantly, I hope I will be back. I hope the same for all of us.