The first item on the agenda is the nomination and election of chairÍperson. I now invite nominations for the position of chairman.
Election of Chairman.
Clerk to the Committee
I have great pleasure is nominating Deputy Penrose.
I have great pleasure in seconding that nomination. This man is a distinguished Member of the Dáil and I have no doubt that he will fulfil the role with enthusiasm and will be fair to all members of the committee. Nobody knows more about social welfare than the Minister and her staff. It is a logical appointment.
Clerk to the Committee
Are there any other nominations for the Chair? As there are no other nominations, I deem Deputy Penrose to be elected chairman and ask him to take the Chair.
DEPUTY WILLIE PENROSE took the Chair.
I thank my proposer and seconder and all the members of the committee for their support. My duty is to be fair and impartial and I am someone who will make sure the members of the committee have their voices heard. I will give an opportunity of relaying various concerns, particularly in this area, where issues arise in our everyday work. We look forward to having the Minister for Social and Family Affairs here for various debates as well as other groups who would like to meet us.
An important factor is that meetings take place at times that are convenient to the members and we must pay some attention to that. As a rural Deputy it is sometimes difficult to fit in these meetings. This issue will be considered in line with the secretariat's programme and on the committee of chairpersons. We are sometimes constrained by room availability but we must ensure that members can attend at various times.
I take this opportunity to welcome members to the committee and to thank the outgoing committee which brought its own knowledge and experience to it. I have no doubt that this committee will be equally effective in its work and I anticipate that the committee will refer to and build on the previous committee's valuable work programme which identified the pertinent issues that need to be addressed in Irish society today. A strongly united approach where all members contribute and feel their efforts are worthwhile will get the best results and that is what I will work to achieve with the committee.
The next item on the agenda is the election of vice-chairperson.