There were some events in the last few weeks which affected the Committee. Some Members have been elected to the European Parliament and Deputy Woods has now become a Minister of State. That means that three people will be changed on the Committee. This cannot take place at this meeting as replacements will have to be nominated by the Committee of Selection. The parties generally have not time and in any case we will not be meeting until after the summer recess. We will just carry on as before. I have apologies for inability to attend from Deputies Leonard and Quinn.
Prelude
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I would like to propose a vote of congratulations to the Chairman on his election to the European Parliament and to Deputy Síle de Valera who is also a member of the Committee.
Thank you.
I would also like to propose a vote of congratulations to Deputy Woods on his new position as Minister of State.
I would also like to be associated with this vote.
: I would like to put on record my disappointment that my colleague in Laois/Offaly, Senator McDonald, was unsuccessful in the European election. He has made a tremendous contribution to European politics and I know that I am expressing the views of the members of all political parties in Laois/Offaly when I say that we were genuinely sorry that Senator McDonald did not make the grade on this occasion. I want to join with the other members in congratulating the Chairman on his excellent poll and also Deputy Síle de Valera and Deputy Woods.
Thank you very much. I share that regret and I hope that Senator McDonald will come back again when there is an opportunity to have another go.
Thank you.
The minutes of the last meeting have been circulated and I assume it is in order for me to sign them.
Minutes Agreed.