Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

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.