We will defer consideration of the draft work programme for 2005 and the draft 2004 annual report to next week because some members had to leave the meeting to go to the Chamber. I inform members that a meeting with officials from the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Agriculture and Food to discuss the nitrates directive will take place at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 3 February.
Representatives of Greencore plc, IFA beet-growers and SIPTU have been invited to a meeting on Wednesday, 23 February to discuss the closure of the Carlow sugar factory. Responses are awaited.
The joint committee adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, 3 February 2005.