Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Treacy. I now ask Mr. Horan, director of the Institute of Public Administration, IPA, and chairman of the governance review group, to make his opening statement.

While Mr. Horan is getting ready, I propose to the members that we adopt the process we used at the previous meeting where we went round in the order of Deputy Catherine Murphy, because she raised the issue first, then Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Independents and then those who are not members of the committee. On the previous occasion, each speaker got ten minutes. I note there may be parties here with more than one representative, and if the members get back to me after Mr. Horan's contribution, we will reach agreement on the best way to do that, or the parties may nominate somebody. I am conscious of Senator Feighan's important contribution that he probably felt he was not allowed to make on the previous occasion. I understand the Senator's concerns, and congratulate the Senator on his election nomination.