Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the first public meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. We have received apologies from Deputy Thomas Gould and Senator Maria McCormack.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. Following the first meeting of the joint committee, we received one nomination for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach, which was for Deputy Séamus McGrath.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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My apologies but due to some confusion about the time, I submitted my name after the scheduled time. I do not know if I can be considered.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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At the end of the previous meeting, members agreed a closing time. We need to start our work in the vein that what we agree is agreed. I am not open to departing from that straightaway. Members agreed a closing time for nominations and we should stick with that. Do members wish to make a comment?

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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It is a poisoned chalice. Deputy Hearne has dodged a bullet.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I will put the question that Deputy Séamus McGrath be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Is that agreed? Agreed. I declare Deputy Séamus McGrath has been elected Leas-Chathaoirleach and congratulate him on taking up the role.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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There will be two members chairing the session and there are only two of us here. Everybody else has gone home.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Deputy McGrath may wish to say a few words. The Leas-Chathaoirleach takes an oath but it must be done when he assumes the Chair at some stage.

Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is no problem. I am delighted to have been elected as Vice Chair of this important committee. I look forward to working with the Chairperson and all the members. We all recognise that while this is a broad committee, housing is the number one issue for it and the Government. I want to work with everyone in a fair and balanced way to try to make progress on these issues. I will leave it at that for now. I thank members for their support.

Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy McGrath. Do any other members wish to make a comment? No.