I remind committee members and witnesses that their mobile phones should be switched off for the duration of the meeting as a courtesy to others because they can cause serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff.
The minutes of the meeting of 5 July have been circulated. Are they agreed?
On the minutes, a decision was taken by the committee to bring the officials involved in the sugar negotiations before it today to discuss the progress being made. Subsequent to the making of that decision the Minister made an announcement on the distribution of funding. I wrote a letter to the Chairman on 13 July indicating that not only the officials, but also the Minister should come before the committee to discuss the rationale behind her decision and the allocation of funding. I also sought a copy of the Indecon report and asked that it be presented to committee members for consideration. I would like a response on that issue. What response have we received from the officials and the Minister to the request that they come before the committee to explain the rationale behind the sugar compensation package and that they provide a copy of the Indecon report?
That matter is on the agenda and will be dealt with later in the meeting.
I would like an explanation of those issues. The committee decided to discuss the matter today, but it is not on the agenda.
We have a reply from the Minister.
