Apologies have been received from Senators Higgins and Mansergh. Before we proceed to the main business of the meeting there are a number of other issues to be disposed of. The draft minutes of the joint committee meeting of 12 May 2004 have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.
Business of Joint Committee.
On that issue, have we decided on the date when we will consider decentralisation?
No. We will deal with the timetable for the work programme at our meeting next week. Deputy Richard Bruton may be the only member who has submitted his list of priorities. Will members submit a list of their priorities in advance of the next meeting? In regard to correspondence, the sub-committee on European Scrutiny has sent this committee a list of documents and proposals considered and decisions taken at its meeting of 6 May 2004. The committee has not referred proposals to this committee for further scrutiny. Is it agreed that none of the proposals listed warrant scrutiny by this committee? Agreed.
A briefing note on EU proposal COM (2000) has been referred by the sub-committee on European Scrutiny for our information only. The sub-committee did not recommend that we scrutinise the proposal, however, this committee required further information before making a final decision. Is it agreed that the recommendation by the sub-committee on European Affairs that the proposal does not warrant scrutiny by this committee agreed? Agreed.
The next item, No. 3, is a discussion with the chief executive and consumer director of Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority on issues arising from the overcharging by AIB for foreign exchange services. I propose to suspend the sitting while members of the delegation take their seats.
Sitting suspended at 9.40 a.m. and resumed at 9.45 a.m.