Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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We will shortly go into private session to discuss housekeeping matters. Apologies have been received from Deputy Duncan Smith.

It is a great honour to be appointed Chair of this committee. I look forward to working with members in a genuine spirit of partnership and co-operation.

I welcome all members of the committee, particularly those who are newly elected Members of the Oireachtas. I will endeavour to be as fair and impartial as I can be to all members and I will take a strong, uniting collaborative approach. I hope we will work together to achieve some strong results with engaging meetings and thorough, constructive reports. I appreciate that we are operating in an unusual environment due to the Covid pandemic. Some members may be located at a seat without a microphone. That will not hold Senator O'Sullivan back too much. I ask members to bear with me, and we will discuss arrangements for meetings in a few moment. I propose to go into private session to deal with housekeeping matters.