JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS debate -
Wednesday, 12 May 2004

Business of Joint Committee

Chairman

We have received an e-mail from the House of Lords in connection with a committee report examining reform of EU development aids. Is it agreed to note this item? Agreed. Is it agreed to note a letter from Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh? Agreed.

We have received an invitation to attend the 15th Crans Montana Forum in Switzerland from 24 to 27 June 2004. I have examined the agenda and it is clear that much, though not all, of the discussion will not be relevant to this committee. If a member wishes to attend on behalf of the joint committee, please inform the secretariat.

We have received an invitation to attend the first conference on subsidiarity of the Committee of the Regions which will be held in Berlin on 27 May 2004. The conference will focus on the roles of regional assemblies. As it is not of particular relevance to a national parliament, it is proposed to——

Deputy Mulcahy

I have carefully read the agenda of the conference and it is clear it is a matter for the regions. It would be useful to obtain a report from the conference because we have discussed the issue of subsidiarity at length and it may arrive at some useful conclusions. I suggest we request a copy of its working papers and conclusions.

Chairman

I will try to get those documents. Members will be aware that we will host a COSAC meeting next week and, accordingly, the joint committee and the sub-committee will not meet.

Deputy Haughey

When will the programme for the COSAC meeting be circulated? Members, particularly Government Deputies, will have to seek pairing arrangements and will need to know the time of the meeting. Will it be held on Tuesday morning or evening?

Chairman

A dinner will be held on Tuesday evening and the meeting will take place throughout Wednesday and on Thursday morning. If members have difficulty with regard to pairing arrangements, they should contact the Chair and I will see what can be done.

Deputy Mulcahy

Will the secretary provide members with a note about the meeting as it would be helpful for diaries? Does the letter received from the President of the German Bundestag regarding a conference in Berlin in November feature on today's agenda?

Chairman

No.

Deputy Mulcahy

I understand the joint committee agreed previously to attend the conference.

Chairman

We agreed at our previous meeting to send two representatives. Given the large number of people from Germany present, perhaps we should send a larger deputation.

Deputy Mulcahy

If we need to send more representatives, we can raise the matter again with the Chairman.

The joint committee adjourned at 2.55 p.m. sine die.