Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Conway-Walsh. I understand Senator Black needs to leave early.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House complex. Members attending remotely must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House. This is due to the constitutional requirement that in order to participate at public meetings members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit. In this regard, I ask members partaking via Microsoft Teams that prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect 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 relation to an identifiable person or entity, I will direct them to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. MPs participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it applies to their participation in these meetings.

On the clár, we have the election for Leas-Chathaoirleach. As agreed at our first meeting, nominations for the position were received. I will now read them out in the order that they were received, namely, Deputy David Maxwell and Senator Patricia Stephenson. I now invite any other nomination for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. As there are no other nominations, we will consider the nominations that have been received.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I declare Deputy David Maxwell elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of the committee and congratulate him on his election. Would he like to say a few words?

David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank everyone on the committee. I thank Senator Stephenson for making it a competition.

I look forward to working with everyone here. As I said the last day, it will be an important committee going forward. We need to work together to continue with and bring forward the peace we have built up over the past 25 years in the peace process in Northern Ireland. It could so easily be lost if we do not keep working on it together.

I look forward to working with you, Chair, and to help you and to work with everyone here on the committee to further our aims here.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. I offer my commiserations to Senator Stephenson. I echo the words of the Leas-Chathaoirleach that it is good that there was competition for the position.

We will go into private session to deal with housekeeping matters.