JOINT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS debate -
Wednesday, 21 May 2003

Vol. 1 No. 19

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 May have been circulated with the agenda. Are they in order? Are there any matters arising from the minutes? Some items of correspondence were circulated with the agenda for the information of members. I would like to note the correspondence for the record.

I have received a motion on Iraq which has been tabled by Senator Norris. I propose to discuss this motion after we have heard from the Red Cross delegation, which will brief the committee on the humanitarian situation in Iraq. We had a more comprehensive motion which included many of the elements of the Senator's motion, but that is something we can discuss.

Deputy M. Higgins

We have not seen that motion.

Chairman

I refer to the motion we sent to the United States and other countries.

Deputy M. Higgins

I was making a different point, which is not a complaint. The committee's agenda is crowded. I am very anxious that there be a proper allocation of time for the discussion of the humanitarian situation in Iraq. I am expressing my concern now. With respect, I think that the motion brought forward by Senator Norris, who is involved in a vote in the Seanad, is more detailed. I hope we will make an additional amount of time available. Discussion of Iraq has been deferred twice, for different reasons. Nobody is saying that it is anybody's fault. Items are being placed on the agenda at very short notice and items which have been deferred are not being given enough time.

Chairman

I thank the Deputy. We will take it after the discussion on Iraq.