Clerk to the Committee:

As all members are present we have a quorum. I advise the committee that I have not been notified of any substitution in accordance with paragraph 7 of our terms of reference. The first item of business is the election of the Chair. In accordance with Dáil precedent I will seek nominations from parties and groups in the order they appear in the terms of reference of the committee and afterwards put the question or questions in the order of nominations received. I will now seek nominations for Chair.