John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We have one item of business to attend to before we go into private session, which is the election of a Vice Chairman.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I nominate Deputy Durkan.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I second that.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Are there any other nominations?

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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I nominate Senator Higgins.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Is there a seconder? No.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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It would not be the first vote I have lost.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Two names have been put forward, namely, those of Deputy Durkan and Senator Higgins.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Senator Higgins is speaking in the Seanad at the moment.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I suggest that, as we have both the joint committee and the select committee, we elect Deputy Durkan and that Senator Higgins agrees to work with us on a joint committee basis. Members can decide.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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For clarity, because I am new, what does the Chairman mean by on a joint committee basis?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The select committee that deals with legislation is made up of Deputies only and general business is done by the joint committee, which includes Senators.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Okay.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I think that is reasonable and a good compromise.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Is what I have proposed agreed?

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Agreed.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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It is agreed. During the committee's previous term of four or five years, former Senator Gerry Horkan was Vice Chairman and so was Deputy Peter Burke. They managed that quite well because we sometimes had to go to the Chamber for votes, the Seanad might be sitting or whatever. It works well. They would share their pay and expenses as well. I declare both Deputy Durkan and Senator Higgins to be elected as Vice Chairmen.