JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS debate -
Thursday, 15 Jan 2009

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

The subject matter of the motion and debate can be used as a contribution to a debate in the Houses when they return and in a debate which may take place between this committee and the ambassador of Israel and the head of mission from Palestine next Tuesday when we meet again.

I do not propose to go through the whole debate again. Next Tuesday the witnesses will respond to the debate, the proceedings of which they will have read. I thank members for being temperate in their discussion. It is important that all sides of an argument of this sensitive nature be observed and that we are seen to be doing anything we can do to assist in the matter.

Deputy Billy Timmins

Did the Chairman say that following this motion someone will be here next Tuesday?

Chairman

Yes, we had invited the ambassador of Israel and the head of mission to attend today but they could not come for various reasons. The invitation stands for next Tuesday because this issue will not be resolved overnight. It is presumed that the members will want to have some interaction with the witnesses.

Deputy Billy Timmins

Is the invitation introduced specifically with the motion? Is the meeting intended to discuss the motion?

Chairman

It follows the motion now. They were to be here to hear the motion.

Deputy Billy Timmins

Who was invited to attend today?

Chairman

The ambassador of Israel and the head of mission.

Deputy Billy Timmins

As part of this motion?

Chairman

They were invited regardless of whether the motion was moved.

Deputy Billy Timmins

I want to establish who is requested to attend?

Chairman

Either the UN or——

Deputy Billy Timmins

Whom does Deputy Mulcahy intend to request to attend the committee on foot of the motion?

Deputy Michael Mulcahy

The Deputy is raising a fair point. The motion refers specifically to two members of the UN, or their representatives, and the European Commissioner for External Relations and now states "and any other persons which this Committee deems necessary". It is important if we are conducting hearings on this matter that people are asked to come specifically with this motion in mind and not otherwise, unless they are being invited for a general discussion. The witnesses should be clear about the purpose of their attendance.

Deputy Billy Timmins

For the benefit of the committee it might be no harm to clarify who is intended by "any other persons". How long is this piece of string? We should know beforehand.

Deputy Michael Mulcahy

It is a matter for the committee. I read out a list including the people mentioned in the motion. I suggested Mr. Dick Spring and or the Taoiseach who were there at the time, a lawyer for legal interpretation of the agreement. I suggested people from both sides of the conflict. I do not have a closed mind as to whom we should invite. We should invite anybody who wants to give testimony.

Chairman

In the first instance, the committee will agree who arrives and when. I do not have a problem with that. At next Tuesday's meeting we should have the head of mission and the ambassador as was already intended.

I have just been told the ambassador cannot attend next Tuesday. We will consult the Whips of the various groups beforehand as to who is available and get agreement on that.

Is that agreed? Agreed.