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

Everyone is very welcome. One of the problems we have is that, because of Covid, we have to have distance between attendees. If all members turn up, this room will not suit us, so we have to think about that, not today but for our next meeting. If we could get a different room, perhaps the Seanad Chamber or even the Dáil Chamber, it would be more appropriate because this is such an important committee and we want to encourage all members to attend, but we will just see how that works out. The protocol is that the clerk to the committee will be aware of what we are saying and we can follow it up.

A number of people could not make it today, and a number of members are chairing other committees. The first item on the agenda is the election of a Vice Chairman. Deputy Lawless is chairing the justice committee. The clerk to the committee was not aware of the full membership of the committee until Friday evening. I am in members' hands as to what to do. It might be wiser to wait until next week to elect a Vice Chairman if people cannot be here because of the short notice. We could put the election as the first item on the agenda for next Thursday. The clerk to the committee has been working with the other secretariat staff and the proposal is that we meet, as we did previously, at 2 p.m on Thursdays. That would suit people who may have to travel.