Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport

Business of Joint Committee

2:00 am

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I thank members for their remarks. As I said earlier, several members will probably come in late. There are several committees meeting at the same time. I thank everyone for their good wishes. I am delighted to be chairing this committee. Google obviously delivered results for Deputy Byrne's history search. My drama and acting skills have probably evolved since I was in the junior section of Nenagh Players. I did not think that would be dug up, to be honest.

I am a sports fanatic. I have a 15-year-old daughter - well, she is 15 next month - who keeps me up to date on everything relating to sport. I used to work on matters relating to media and have a huge interest in that area and, culturally, I have been involved in many different things. I was previously a manager in Fáilte Ireland and that drifts an awful lot into this. I thank and congratulate everybody.

Does Deputy Cleere wish to contribute? Can I confirm he is on the precincts of Leinster House?

We seem to have some issues connecting to Deputy Cleere. We might come back to him.

We move to the nomination of a Leas-Chathaoirleach. Every committee needs a Leas-Chathaoirleach. As members are aware, a committee may choose to elect a Leas-Chathaoirleach who can perform the duties and exercise the authority of the Cathaoirleach in my absence. I propose requesting nominations for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. Members might wish to consult one another and send nominations to the clerk by Monday, 19 May. Ideally, I would like the election to take place by next week's meeting. Is that agreed? Agreed.

For Senator Ahearn's information, we just went around the committee members to introduce ourselves and say in one minute what interests we have in this area.