Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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At our previous meeting, nominations for Leas-Chathaoirleach were sought. Two nominations have been received – one for Senator Eileen Flynn and one for Deputy Joe Neville. The way the d’Hondt system works here is that it is a long-established position that the first name received is put to the floor. If that person is elected, that is the end of the matter. If that person is not elected, we move to the second nomination. If the second person is elected, so be it at that stage. Everybody understands the system. It is slightly unusual but it is the historic way it is done in Leinster House. I do not think we are the position to change it, even if we chose to do so.

The first name in was that of Senator Flynn. Is it agreed that Senator Eileen Flynn be elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery?

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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I will now put the question about the second nomination received. On the question that Deputy Neville be elected Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery a division has been challenged.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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I declare Deputy Neville the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I congratulate him and invite him to say a few words.

Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank everyone for their support. I look forward to working with all of them and on their behalf. I thank the members who put my name forward, Deputy Clendennen and Senator Byrne.

This is an important committee. Ultimately, we will be working on the future of the State. Infrastructure will be a key topic and the party members belong to is irrelevant to what we are doing here. I look forward to working in the best possible way as a team. It is lovely to see former colleagues from councils working with me here. We are all working on behalf of our constituencies and, parties aside, that is the most important thing.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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Before we move on to our major item of business today, Uisce Éireann, we will suspend briefly while the witnesses take their seats.