I thank Messrs. O'Neill, O'Connor and O'Sullivan for attending the committee and for the excellent report they have compiled. We look forward to engaging with them in the future.
As this is possibly the last meeting of the joint committee, I want to make some short remarks to members. At the inaugural meeting of the joint committee on 13 November 2002, I was nominated as Chairman by Deputy O'Donovan and seconded by Deputy McEllistrim. I was honoured to be elected Chairman of the committee. My time as Chairman has been memorable and fulfilling, and the volume of work which the committee has done has been immense. The committee has produced major reports on broadband, energy, salmon, broadcasting, licensing of local radio and non-ionising radiation from mobile telephone handsets and masts.
The work of the joint committee was carried out during the 29th Dáil at 105 joint committee meetings, 30 select committee meetings and 24 ICT sub-committee and salmon sub-committee meetings. The commitment and dedication of those who have served on the joint committee throughout the term of the 29th Dáil often goes unseen and unrecognised. I extend my appreciation to current members: Deputies Broughan, Durkan, Ferris, Fitzpatrick, Kelly, McEllistrim, O'Donovan, Fiona O'Malley, Perry and Eamon Ryan; and Senators Finucane, Kenneally, MacSharry and O'Meara. I include in my appreciation members of the joint committee who went on to serve the Oireachtas and the public in other ways, namely, Deputies Coveney, Keogh and Martin Brady.
I want to make special mention of the two members of staff who have served the joint committee in the most unstinting fashion and with the utmost of professionalism: Mr. Ronan Lenihan, the clerk to the committee, and Ms Siobhán Murtagh, who has been with us for the past four years. I also thank the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas, including the staff in the Office of the Editor of Debates and the broadcasting unit, the sound engineers and the director of committees, Mr. Art O'Leary, and the deputy director, Mr. Padraic Donlon. I thank all the staff of the committee secretariat, including in particular, Mr. David Alwright, Mr. Paul Campbell, Ms Katie Harrington and Ms Jenny Duane for their hard work and assistance to members of the joint committee.
Mr. O'Neill will not like to hear that our third report on broadband is due next week but we have made only two recommendations. In the next week or two, we will publish the report on our e-consultation on the draft legislative proposals on broadcasting. Hearings of the joint committee on that matter were held over two days. It was an honour that they were the first Oireachtas committee proceedings to be webcast. The Broadcasting Bill 2006 was excellent but I hope Mr. O'Neill will not mind that we made a number of recommendations which we hope will be helpful to the policy makers in his Department.
This is our last meeting but the only date I cannot provide today is that of the general election. Members will have to wait a few more days before learning that date.