We shall commence in public session.
Business of Joint Committee.
Chairman, I would like to say something. I would like to put on the record that we wish the Taoiseach God speed in his discussions in Brussels today. I also wish the same for the leader of the Chairman's party, Deputy Kenny, who is also over there to help out.
I second that. There is a major breakthrough and this committee and its sub-committee played a very important role in coming up with solutions to the situation. What the Minister, Deputy Martin, said this morning was very important.
I will keep my reservations about that until later.
The point the Minister made on "Morning Ireland" this morning was very important. It is not about the Government or the Opposition but about the people themselves.
We wish the Taoiseach well in his deliberations over the coming days, naturally. He has had the benefit of the useful report that was produced by a sub-committee of this committee. I trust he will dig deep into its recommendations and findings as he plans the way forward. We look forward to seeing whether substantial progress will be made in preserving Ireland's position at the heart of Europe.
In the absence of my party's Front Bench spokesman, Deputy Timmins — he is delayed in traffic, but he will be here shortly — I wish to echo the words of the previous speakers in wishing the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs well at this week's summit. I hope they will benefit from the sympathy and understanding of their counterparts in the other 26 member states, thereby ensuring that the European Union gets back on course in 2009.
I presume that a further referendum will be arranged some time in the new year to allow us to resume our position at the heart of Europe. The EU has been of great importance during the economic crisis of the last three or four months. The statement the European Commission made yesterday, affirming its confidence in the Irish pork industry, was very helpful. The Union is of great importance to this country. We wish the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Martin, well. My party leader, Deputy Kenny, is also in Brussels today to meet his colleagues from the European People's Party. Members will be aware that seven EU Prime Ministers represent the EPP group. They will have an important role to play.
I would like to add my support to that of members who have sent their good wishes and support to those representing Ireland at this week's negotiations. I reiterate my appreciation of the work of the sub-committee, which held many meetings in a very concentrated fashion. I congratulate its members, who worked in a way that excluded them from all other aspects of political life.
The Chairman's efforts were also good.
We do our best, but it does not always work. We have received apologies from Senator Donohoe, who is the Chairman of the sub-committee I mentioned. I propose that we should aim to conclude the first part of today's meeting in time for the Order of Business. We will then adjourn until after the Order of Business. The second part of the meeting, which will involve a discussion with the Czech ambassador, will take place at approximately 11.30 a.m.