Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 14 October 2020
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach
Election of Vice Chairman
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
We have one item of business to attend to before we go into private session, which is the election of a Vice Chairman.
Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source
It would not be the first vote I have lost.
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
Two names have been put forward, namely, those of Deputy Durkan and Senator Higgins.
Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source
Senator Higgins is speaking in the Seanad at the moment.
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
I suggest that, as we have both the joint committee and the select committee, we elect Deputy Durkan and that Senator Higgins agrees to work with us on a joint committee basis. Members can decide.
Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source
For clarity, because I am new, what does the Chairman mean by on a joint committee basis?
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
The select committee that deals with legislation is made up of Deputies only and general business is done by the joint committee, which includes Senators.
Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
I think that is reasonable and a good compromise.
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source
It is agreed. During the committee's previous term of four or five years, former Senator Gerry Horkan was Vice Chairman and so was Deputy Peter Burke. They managed that quite well because we sometimes had to go to the Chamber for votes, the Seanad might be sitting or whatever. It works well. They would share their pay and expenses as well. I declare both Deputy Durkan and Senator Higgins to be elected as Vice Chairmen.