In accordance with Standing Order 91 of Dáil Éireann, the first duty of the joint committee is to elect a Chairman. I now invite nominations for the position.
Election of Chairman.
Clerk to the Committee
I nominate Deputy Johnny Brady. I have had the honour of serving on this committee for the past five years and Deputy Brady served as Chairman during that time. I have always found him extremely helpful to all sides. He was very accommodating in meeting deputations. It gives me great pleasure to propose him as Chairman.
I, too, have served on this committee with Deputy Brady during the past five years. He is a gentleman, always fair in his dealings with members. I am sure the new members of the committee will also find that to be the case. It is my pleasure to second the nomination.
We on this side support the nomination of Deputy Brady as Chairman. I worked previously with him on this committee from 1997 to 2002. I have no doubt he will distinguish himself in the post as he has done in the past.
I, too, support the nomination of Deputy Brady. I have had the privilege of serving with him and have happy memories of it. I am glad we are back together for another term.
I concur with other speakers and extend my good wishes to the incoming Chairman. I remind colleagues on the Government side that if another member of the Opposition comes in, we will have superiority in terms of numbers and a massive ego boost.
I remind my friend from west Cork that while we may not agree at all times there is a chance we may be with him an odd time.
Given Deputy O'Sullivan's track record, he might not always agree with his own colleagues.
Absolutely.
Deputy O'Sullivan has been keeping an even keel for quite a while.
I am still keeping an even keel.
Clerk to the Committee
Are there any other nominations? As there are no other nominations, I declare Deputy Johnny Brady Chairman of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I call on him to take the Chair.
Deputy Johnny Brady took the Chair.
I thank the clerk, Josie Briody, and her staff for organising today's meeting and for presiding over the election of Chairman. I thank my proposer and seconder and Opposition colleagues for their kind remarks. I thank the committee for re-electing me as Chairman. It is an honour to hold the Chair of an Oireachtas committee and I look forward to working with members in a positive and constructive manner. I thank the members of the outgoing committee. I am sure this committee will refer to and build on the valuable work programme of its predecessor. I hope this committee will be equally effective.
I welcome new members to the committee, particularly those who are newly elected but also those who have served previously. I am glad to see the return of an old friend and colleague, Deputy Sheehan, who served on the Opposition benches from 1997 to 2002. Many times when the Minister for agriculture, Deputy Joe Walsh, was addressing the committee and we were all feeling low, Deputy Sheehan would raise our spirits by telling an old story about west Cork. He was always joyful and an effective spokesperson on fisheries.
I compliment the Opposition spokesperson. I welcome Deputy Creed, who takes over as Fine Gael spokesperson from Deputy Naughten. Deputy Naughten was a thorough gentleman and I know Deputy Creed will follow in his footsteps. I served with Deputy Sherlock's late father on the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. He was a gentleman and I know Deputy Seán Sherlock will be the same. He will find it difficult to follow in the footsteps of a great spokesperson, Deputy Mary Upton, who was a pure lady and a wonderful person, particularly when dealing with the area of food. I wish Deputy Sherlock well in his new role.
I will endeavour to be fair and impartial to all members of the committee with a view to discharging our function in the best and most effective way possible.