I express on behalf of the joint committee the deepest sympathy to Senator Coonan on the death of his father, Gerry. An appropriate letter will be sent to the Senator.
The minutes of the meeting on 3 November 2004 have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed. The position of vice-chairman of the joint committee is vacant as Deputy Michael Moynihan has been discharged by an order of Dáil Éireann of 16 November 2004. I call for nominations for the post.
I propose Deputy Hoctor.
I second that proposal.
As no other member has been proposed, I deem Deputy Hoctor elected as vice-chairman of the joint committee. I welcome the Deputy to the committee. We have been very proud of our one female member and now we have another. Women are getting there but we have a long way to go to have a 40% female membership.
I thank the Chairman for his good wishes. I thank my proposer and seconder also. I am very pleased to be appointed not only as a member of the committee but as its vice-chairman. I want to co-operate with this hard working committee to which I have been an occasional visitor in the interests of the agricultural sector. This is a very challenging time for agriculture. While Europe has a significant say in what happens, it is important for the members of the committee to work together. I will be happy to be of assistance to all members.
Maybe we will soon organise a meeting abroad and the two ladies will come with me. Could that be agreed?
With conditions.
I pay tribute also to the outgoing member, Deputy Michael Moynihan, who has been appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee on Education and Science. He was very helpful on occasions on which I was unavailable.
I welcome Deputy Naughten to the committee and congratulate him on his wedding, on which I wish him well. I also wish the Deputy well in his new role as Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture and food.
Thank you very much, Chairman. I look forward to working with the committee and its new vice-chairman in the interests of the agriculture industry and the food sector. I am sure we will have a close if occasionally heated relationship.
We wish you well.
