Clerk to the Committee:

In the unavoidable absence of the Chair, I now invite nominations for the position of temporary Chairman.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I propose Deputy Durkan.

Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Out of curiosity, is there not a resident Vice Chairman? Have we got someone who is permanently Vice Chairman?

Clerk to the Committee:

Yes. The Vice Chairman, Deputy Seán Kyne, is unavoidably absent also today.

Clerk to the Committee:

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am only the temporary Chair as a result of the unfortunate absence of both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman.

Apologies have been received from the Chairman, Deputy Hannigan, the Vice Chairman, Deputy Kyne, and Deputy Crowe.