Apologies have been received from Senator Joe O'Reilly, for whom Senator John McGahon is attending in substitution. The first item on the agenda is the election of a Chairperson of the committee. I now ask for nominations for the position of Chairperson.
Business of Select Committee
Clerk to the Committee
I propose Senator Martin Conway.
I second that nomination.
Clerk to the Committee
If there are no other nominations, is it agreed that Senator Martin Conway be the Chairperson of the committee? Agreed. I now call upon Senator Martin Conway to take the Chair.
I thank Senator Daly for proposing me, and Senator Byrne for seconding the nomination. Under Standing Order 81(2)(a) I need to make the following declaration:
I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of Chairperson of the Seanad Select Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.
I appreciate the opportunity to make some opening remarks. I again thank Senators Daly and Byrne for proposing me, and the rest of my colleagues on the committee for unanimously supporting my election to this prestigious position of Chair. It is an incredible honour to chair any committee in this House, but particularly a select committee of the Seanad. It has been recommended for many years that the Seanad carry out a more detailed role when it comes to scrutinising European directives, statutory instruments and so on. I am delighted that this committee has been formed. I pay enormous tribute to the Leas-Chathaoirleach and former Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann for his tireless campaigning to ensure this committee got off the ground. It is fair to say that the committee would not be in place but for the tenacity, determination and focused drive of Senator Mark Daly. I believe he deserves enormous credit because this is a key recommendation of Seanad reform, to make the Seanad more relevant to the lives of the people it serves. I commend Senator Daly on his work in that area.
Standing Orders permit us to elect a Vice-Chair. It is the first thing we can do after the election of the Chair. I ask for a proposer for the position of Vice-Chair.
I propose Senator Mark Daly.
I second that nomination.
An Cathaoirleach
If there are no other nominations, is it agreed that Senator Mark Daly be the Vice-Chair of the committee? Agreed. I congratulate Senator Daly and call on him to make a few remarks.
I congratulate the Chair. I will make the following declaration:
I do solemnly declare that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my knowledge and ability execute the office of vice-Chair of the Seanad Select Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments without fear or favour, apply the rules as laid down by the House in an impartial and fair manner, maintain order and uphold the rights and privileges of members in accordance with the Constitution and Standing Orders.
I thank the Cathaoirleach and my proposer and seconder. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words around the establishment of this committee. The important part of this committee is looking at all of the legislation coming in from Europe and the committee's role in directing it, as appropriate, to sectoral committees to look at before it is brought into Irish law. That is something, which is not happening at the moment.
The other important issue is that the late implementation of those EU laws is costing millions of euro to the taxpayer through fines and penalties. Our role as a committee and as members of the Seanad is to ensure that those fines and penalties are not imposed, that the EU laws are in place on time and also that they are properly scrutinised. This committee will see more legislation going through its hands than the entire Houses of the Oireachtas combined. It is a very important committee in that regard.
I look forward to the work and I thank you for your kind words. I pay tribute to all those who made the recommendations. I know that Senator McDowell was involved in the preparation of previous reports, as were Maurice Manning and many others. The Clerk of Seanad Éireann was involved in many of those as were many members of this committee already in making those reforms to the role and purpose of the Seanad. This is one of those very important reforms and I look forward to working with all the members of the committee. I again congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh.
An Cathaoirleach
I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his kind comments. If nobody else has any comments, we will now go into private session.
The select committee went into private session at 5.41 p.m. and adjourned at 6.56 p.m. sine die.