I take the opportunity to thank and pay tribute to the two departing spokespersons on transport, Deputy O'Dowd for the Fine Gael Party and Deputy Broughan for the Labour Party who is not with us today. They have played an important role in the workings of the committee since I took over as Chairman nearly three years ago. Without doubt, they will be missed.
Business of Joint Committee
Missed by the NRA and CIE, in particular.
I wish them well in their new roles. I welcome the new spokespersons. Deputy Costello, whom I wish well, will represent the Labour Party, while Deputy Simon Coveney who is not present will represent the Fine Gael Party.
I thank the Chairman for the work he has done in the past three years. We had an important and useful engagement under his chairmanship. I really enjoyed the work and the challenge and appreciated the support of the staff, particularly Ms Eileen Brosnan. It was a fruitful and rewarding time for me. I shall be back to discuss the Foynes and CIE issues in the autumn. We had useful and important meetings that the Chairman always conducted in a fair manner. We interrogated witnesses when we had to and he supported the process. There was transparency and we had accountability. I hope to bring these skills to the Joint Committee on Education and Skills. I shall now withdraw, as I no longer have a role to play here, but I enjoyed the work and working with all of my colleagues.
When is our next meeting due to be held?
On 8 September.
Sitting suspended at 3.59 p.m. and resumed at 4 p.m.