I ask members to consider for a moment the important discussions taking place in Brussels this morning, the Council meeting on agriculture and fisheries with particular reference to quotas. I ask members to consider a motion to be unanimously adopted by the committee in support of the Irish fishing interests and the Government's position in attempting to ensure that the best possible deal is concluded from an Irish perspective, having particular regard to the central role which the fisheries issue played in the most recent referendum.
Business of Joint Committee.
I apologise in advance that I will need to leave at 12.45 p.m. for another engagement. I hope I am here to listen to our guests.
As there is a vote in the Seanad, we will suspend the meeting.
Sitting suspended at 11.45 a.m. and resumed at 12.15 p.m.
Before we come to item No. 1, the Vice Chairman has asked that we consider a motion to be submitted to the Council of Ministers and the Commission representatives in Brussels in respect of the fishing quota discussions taking place today. We will have a draft ready for issue in a few minutes which we will bring before the committee. Is that agreed? Agreed.