I propose " That Senator Eoin Ryan be elected Chairman of the Committee ".

Personally, I have no objection to the election of Senator Ryan as Chairman but for the record it is essential that we know where we are going. If one takes, for instance, the Joint Committee on EEC Secondary Legislation, the position was that a member of the then Opposition, Deputy Haughey, was appointed Chairman. That position is held now by Deputy Clinton. In so far as the Committee on Public Accounts are concerned it is accepted that the chairmanship, by tradition, is held by a Member of the Opposition. Therefore, what we are proposing here is a break with tradition.

However, it is not my intention to make an issue of it or to make a counter proposal, but it is important to note that in the case of a member of the Government Party becoming chairman of a committee relating to State-sponsored bodies for which the same relevant Ministers have overall responsibility, it could be said, without suggesting in any way that this would happen in the case of Senator Ryan, that the identity of political opinion might be to the detriment of the work of the Committee. That view has been put forward in Britain in relation to the nationalised industries committees. On the Continent the tendency has been to have members of the opposition parties as chairmen in order to give committees relative independence.

I do not know how much weight this Committee would like to give to that viewpoint. On another occasion when I expressed a similar viewpoint my suggestion was not accepted by the Government of the day although they were the Government of whom I was a supporter. I have expressed the same opinion at my party meetings, so that from the point of view also of consistency I am making the point here again, although it is not my intention to detract in any way from the proposal to elect Senator Ryan. Perhaps we could have some discussion on the vice-chairmanship. Is it the Government's intention to take that also?

Perhaps if we could agree to the election of Senator Ryan we could move then to the election of Vice-Chairman.

There is no objection whatever to the election of Senator Ryan, but the point of view expressed by Deputy Desmond is one that has been expressed by all parties at some time in both Houses but not expressed by all parties at the same time. It could be said that an unfortunate precedent was established but I expect that it is intended to follow that precedent.

I thank the Members and I am well aware of the reservations that are held regarding the matter of policy involved but we are following a tradition and during my time as Chairman I shall be impartial in my rulings.