In future, members who cannot attend should send apologies. As elections approach, we must ensure that we receive apologies in advance to know when to start.
I bring to members' attention two motions that have been laid before the Oireachtas and which are likely to be the subject of debate. The first motion concerns the report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs entitled, Study Visit to the Western Balkans: Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina — EU accession and the European perspective, which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 7 April 2009. A similar motion was laid before the Seanad.
The second motion states:
That Dáil Éireann notes the report of the Joint Committee on European Affairs congratulating the Council of Europe on the occasion of its 60th anniversary and in acknowledging the enormous contribution the Council has made in the field of human rights and in providing a forum for the countries of Europe to address issues of mutual concern.
This was laid before Dáil Éireann on 7 April 2009 and a similar motion was laid before the Seanad.