The next item on the agenda is our annual report. The draft annual report of the joint committee for 2010 has been prepared and was circulated last evening. The report, which also includes details of the work of the sub-committee, has been prepared in the standard format for committees and contains mainly statistical information relating to the function and powers of the committee; membership; the number and duration of meetings; and the work of the committees and the individuals attending meetings. The report also lists the reports laid by the committee and the travel undertaken. Is the annual report agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed to lay the report before both Houses and to publish it on the Oireachtas website? Agreed.
I wish to extend my thanks to members, to the staff of the committee and those who came before us in various capacities and in respect of various matters of interest to the committee. I also thank all those who gave us their support, in every and any way. I thank all of those Members of the Houses who attended our meetings. I accept that the membership has not remained the same during the lifetime of this incarnation of the committee. I wish everyone to whom I have just referred well in the future.
The next item on the agenda is the response to the European Parliament's special committee on the policy challenges and budgetary resources for a sustainable European Union after 2013 - the SURE committee - on the Commission's budget review document. This is an important document. Due to the time constraints which applied when it came before the committee, the policy adviser - on the instruction of the committee - drafted a response on the policy challenges, etc., that exist for referral to the SURE committee. The response in question takes on board correspondence received from the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which was considered at our last meeting. On all occasions when the committee discussed this issue, it was emphasised that it is a matter of some considerable importance to both the European Union and Ireland. As a result, it was decided that the matter should be referred to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the latter's reply has been incorporated in the response.
I re-emphasise the fact that this is an extremely important matter. The committee has, very correctly, expressed its views in respect of this subject during the past three and a half years. The thrust of the debate has been that we should produce the things that Europeans can produce best in a more effective and efficient manner and that we should use technology and innovation in order to improve Europe's competitiveness. It is particularly important that this should be borne in mind in the current context. Is the response agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed to forward it to the SURE committee and to Irish MEPs? Agreed.
The next item is correspondence. A list of correspondence received since our previous meeting has been circulated to members. It is proposed to note Nos. 1260 to 1269, inclusive. Is that agreed? Agreed. One of the items on the list in question is a Schumann letter. The Schumann reports have been particularly understanding with regard to Ireland's position in more recent times and we hope this will continue to be the case.
No. 1270 is correspondence from Senator Leyden regarding the role of the European Parliament and national parliaments in respect of the common foreign and security policy, CFSP, and the common security and defence policy, CSDP. In view of the imminent dissolution of the Dáil, I propose that this item of correspondence - an e-mail - be forwarded to the EU liaison officer in Brussels and that he be requested to monitor developments in this regard, particularly as the committee would have serious concerns on any proposal to be produced by the European Parliament that would diminish the influence of national parliaments with regard to the CFSP. The e-mail has also been circulated to the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny and I understand that it agrees with the suggested approach. The relevant Departments are aware of it but we need to copy it for their attention. Is it agreed to forward the correspondence to the EU liaison officer? Agreed.
No. 1271 is correspondence received from the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This was received last evening and encloses a copy of the contribution made by the committee to the CAP Towards 2020. We had asked for sight of final report. The committee instead agreed to make a contribution directly to the Commissioner. It is proposed to note this but I would prefer to have had sight of the report as well. It is always important that we follow these issues to the wire because little things can fall off the screen when there is a great deal of material on the screen. It is proposed to note it. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 1272 is a response from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to questions raised by members at a meeting of 14 December 2010 regarding the Single Market Act. At the meeting, the Department's representative said only 7% of European SMEs export beyond Europe. He should have said only one in seven of European SMEs export beyond Europe. The Department would like us to correct the record. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 6.1 is a draft report of our meeting with Professor Karl Whelan has been circulated. As agreed at our last meeting, the report appends Professor Whelan's briefing note and the transcript of the meeting. Is it agreed to lay the report before both Houses and to publish on the Oireachtas website? Agreed. It is an important and useful report in the present context.
No. 6.2, the second last matter to deal with, is reports on meetings of COSAC. While we report back to the committee after each meeting, it is desirable to lay copies of the reports both Houses. Draft reports on meetings of COSAC during the Swedish, Spanish and Belgian Presidencies have been circulated. Can these be agreed? Agreed. Is it agreed to lay the reports before both Houses and to publish on the Oireachtas website? Agreed.
I extend the committee's thanks to the press officer who has dealt effectively with the committee's business and who has helped to communicate the workings of the committee system in a positive manner, which reflects well on the Houses of the Oireachtas. I also thank the staff of the Debates Office and the support staff of the committee who have worked hard, very often to a tight schedule. They have organised and reorganised at short notice. It is unfortunate that, due to other matters, the meeting with Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet and others in Brussels next week has had to be deferred. It is an important meeting on a topical issue and committee members could have contributed to the debate responsibly. I extend good wishes to every member. Hopefully, we will all return in whatever capacity and make a contribution to democracy to the benefit of the people and the country.
