Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Members will be aware that Deputy Michael McCarthy, who is present, resigned as Vice Chairman of the committee on 30 January 2013. Standing Orders state that as soon as may be after the election of a Chairman, every committee shall elect one of its members to be Vice Chairman. On that basis I ask for nominations for the position of Vice Chairman.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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I propose Deputy Derek Nolan. Deputy Nolan, who is a relatively new Member of the Oireachtas, is a long-standing member of this committee. I think he is the youngest Labour Party TD.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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I am.

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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He is the baby in the parliamentary Labour Party. I wish him well in his role as Vice Chairman. I know he will bring a level of commitment and enthusiasm to the position that will complement Deputy Mac Lochlainn's dedication to the role of Chairman. It is an important committee. It is the first committee in this term that has seen the replacement of the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

I wish both of them the very best for the future and take great pleasure in proposing my colleague, Deputy Nolan, for the position of Vice Chairman.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Before asking if there are any other nominations, on behalf of the committee we issued a letter to Senator McCarthy thanking him for his service but I want to thank him again, particularly for his work during the phase when the committee was being set up and devising its role following the constitutional referendum. I thank him for his service and congratulate him on his recent elevation. Are there any other nominations for the position of Vice Chairman? As there are no further nominations and on the understanding that Deputy Nolan is happy to take up the position, I congratulate Deputy Nolan on being elected as Vice Chairman and invite him to say a few words.

Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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I thank the Chairman. At the outset I would like to thank Deputy McCarthy for proposing me and for his work when the committee was being set up and trying to find its feet, so to speak. I know he put a good deal of effort and dedication into that. Deputy Mac Lochlainn and I are both relatively new to the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively. I look forward to working with the Chairman and other members to help further establish this committee and its role, and to give it the dedication it deserves.