Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh na baill chuig ár ndarna cruinniú. You are all welcome to our second meeting of this committee. We have received no apologies, but I understand that Deputy Cahill is running late, and Deputy Shane Moynihan is substituting.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in these public meetings. I will not permit members to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask members participating on Teams that, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. I do not believe there is anybody in that category at the moment.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

The first business is the nomination of Leas-Chathaoirleach. As agreed at the first meeting of the committee last week, nominations for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach were received. In the order they were received, they are Deputy Gallagher and Senator Boyle. I invite any other nominations for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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I nominate myself.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Go raibh maith agat. We will consider the nominations in the order they were received. This is the regular format and approach under Standing Orders. I put the question on the first nominee, that Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach. Is that agreed? Not agreed.

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I proposed Senator Boyle yesterday. Why would I agree to somebody without a vote? This is my first time in a committee. I am a new TD. Will the Chair tell me how it works?

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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This is a question I also had in discussions with the clerk. Under Standing Orders, this is the format for the election of a Leas-Chathaoirleach.

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Okay.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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The first nominee is put to the meeting and is either agreed or not agreed.

Any member is then at liberty to call a division on that. I would then go to the second nominee if that question was lost.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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There is obviously a division on the question. There should be a vote.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Is Deputy Maxwell calling for a vote?

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Yes. I nominated Senator Boyle in good faith.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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That is absolutely fine. The Deputy is entirely entitled to do so. I will explain the process for members because this is new for many of us. The bells will now be rung. Once all members are present or the bells have stopped ringing, there will be a period of time before the doors are locked. We will then go to the division.

Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail)
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What is that period of time?

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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It is a good question. The period is four minutes. If there is a quorum here after four minutes, we will proceed with the vote. If there is not, we will wait a further eight minutes and then lock the doors and proceed to the vote. Every day is a learning day.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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I declare Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach. Déanaim mo chomhghairdeas leis. Táim ag súil go mór le hobair ina theannta ar an gcoiste amach anseo agus é mar Leas-Chathaoirleach. Táim cinnte go mbeidh sé mar chrann taca láidir dom agus go mbeidh a chuid taithí san earnáil seo an-tábhachtach agus go mbeidh ionchur nach beag aige ar an gcoiste seo.

I congratulate Deputy Gallagher on his election as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I look forward to working very closely with him. I know his experience and background in this sector will be a great addition to him in the work of this committee. I invite Deputy Gallagher to say a few words if he would like to do so.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Tá an-áthas orm gur toghadh mé go daonlathach mar Leas-Chathaoirleach ar an gcoiste fíorthábhachtach seo. Seo an dara huair a tháinig an coiste le chéile. Tháinig sé le céile den chéad uair an tseachtain seo caite. Mar a dúirt mé ag an am sin, beidh mé ag tabhairt lántacaíocht don Chathaoirleach mar bhall den choiste agus mar Leas-Chathaoirleach. Beidh mé ar fáil chun gach cuidiú a thabhairt don Chathaoirleach ar an gcoiste seo. Seo coiste fíorthábhachtach do thionscal na hiascaireachta agus do thionscal na mara. Luaigh an Cathaoirleach an clár oibre an lá cheana. Is dócha go mbeidh sampla den chlár oibre seo le feiceáil inniu.

Gabhaim buíochas leo siúd a d'ainmnigh mé agus a vótáil ar mo shon. Ba chóir dóibh siúd nach raibh ábalta vótáil ar mo shon a bheith cinnte go dtabharfaidh mé cothrom na Féinne go gach uile dhuine agus gach ball den choiste am ar bith a mbeas mé sa Chathaoir mar Leas-Chathaoirleach.

I thank those on the committee who proposed me and voted for me. I say to all members of the committee - including those who did not vote for me - that they can be certain that when I am in the Chair, representing the Chairman, I will rule without fear or favour. All will be respected by me.

As I outlined on the previous day the committee met, I have been in the marine sector my whole life. I was a processor for many years before being elected to the Dáil. Since then, first, I was a Minister of State with responsibility for the marine in 1987, and subsequent to that I was in various Departments with delegated responsibilities. There is a lot of talk about delegated responsibilities at the moment. I advocate that Ministers of State should have delegated responsibilities. I had them in the early noughties and found it extremely helpful.

The industry must have an opportunity to have a Minister who is hands-on, who will deal with them on a regular basis and visit the various ports around the country, whether it be the major harbour ports or the other smaller ports. I hope we will have an opportunity to invite in all of the organisations. The topical point at the moment is the agreement between the EU and the UK. I had to read it three times before I realised we are agreeing a deal that will go into the 2030s. I will express my views on that at a later stage, but it is certainly not what I would have advocated. I thank everybody. I will be available to all.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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I echo Deputy Gallagher's call for the Minister of State to be given full delegated responsibilities to equip him to advocate and work on behalf of the sector, and to complete his job. I also agree with his comments on the recently agreed Brexit deal between Britain and the European Union. That is something the committee will have to examine in the near future. I open the floor to any member who wishes to comment at this point before we go into private session.

Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)
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I wish Pat the very best in the future as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I know he is dedicated to the job so I am very happy with his appointment. I congratulate him.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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We will go into private session at this point to deal with a couple of housekeeping matters.