Clerk to the Committee:

The first item of business is the election of a Chairman, and I invite nominations.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I nominate Deputy Ciarán Lynch. He has vast experience of chairing meetings and it is an honour to propose him as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

Clerk to the Committee:

As there are no other nominations, I call on Deputy Ciarán Lynch to take the Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Humphreys for the nomination and other committee members for their support. I hope it is an indication of how smoothly things will go from here.

I am honoured to have been nominated and appointed to the position of Chairman. The work the committee does is of major national importance, and in taking on the role of Chairman I am very aware of what the task involves. In thanking the committee I have outlined what an honour and privilege this is and I look forward to dealing with the challenges and tasks of the committee in its busy work schedule.

Over the coming period we must give consideration to a wide-ranging remit of matters under public attention. I have had experience of working with some committee members on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and they would very much see me as a Chairman who operates by consensus and who tries to bring everybody on board. If the committee works well it is a reflection on all of us, whether we are in government, in opposition or Independent members. My number one goal will be to ensure the committee reflects well on members of both sides of the House. I will operate the most non-partisan approach possible.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to thank the former Chairman, the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, and I congratulate him on his new role. He chaired the meetings in the most efficient manner and some very worthwhile reports were generated from the committee under his chairmanship.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I wish the Chairman well in his new role. He comes with experience and I have no doubt he will be an excellent Chairman. I appreciate the overview he has with regard to how he sees the committee working. I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, on his elevation. He conducted meetings in a very thorough and fair fashion and I wish him well.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I congratulate the Chairman on his election, particularly as he is my constituency colleague, and I wish him well in his new role. He has a hard act to follow. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, was an excellent Chairman and this must be acknowledged. I genuinely wish the Chairman well.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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On behalf of Sinn Féin I congratulate the Chairman on his appointment. I hope we can all live up to his opening remarks and that we can work by consensus. It is a good reflection on all of us if the committee does well. I have congratulated him personally, but I also wish to state here my congratulations to the former Chairman, the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. The Chairman might have a similar opportunity if we are able to cause other unease in the Labour Party in the future. There is always a silver lining for somebody.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I would not like committee members to see this as a transition post for me.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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We will work together.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy.