Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Níl aon leithscéalta faighte againn. I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in 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 via MS Teams, that prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such direction. Is gá dom é sin a rá ag tosnú gach aon chruinniu ach tá mé chun é a rá trí Ghaeilge an chéad uair eile ionas go mbeidh a fhios ag gach éinne go bhfuil mé chun é sin a rá agus é sin a dhéanamh as seo amach.

The first item on the agenda is the nomination of a Leas-Chathaoirleach. At the first meeting of the committee last week, members were asked to submit nominations for the position to the secretariat by the end of business on Monday this week. Ní raibh ach ainm amháin faighte againn, ainm an Seanadóir Aidan Davitt. Aidan Davitt's name is the only name we received. Are there any other nominations at this juncture or are we happy with that? Then, on the basis that we have ainm amháin, caithfidh mé an cheist a chur, go mbeadh an Seanadóir Aidan Davitt tofa mar Leas-Chathaoirleach ar choiste an Oireachtais. I put the question that Senator Aidan Davitt be elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of the joint committee. An n-aontaíonn gach duine le sin? Is it agreed? Agreed.

Comhghairdeas leis an Seanadóir. I am happy to declare him elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I congratulate him and wish him the best in the role.

Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus na Teachtaí Dála agus Seanadóirí atá anseo. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall sa phost nua.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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There is no doubt he will. He brings to the position a wealth of experience in the Oireachtas.

That concludes the public business.