Apologies have been received from Deputies Allen and Michael Higgins and Senator Kitt. The minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2004 have been circulated together with the agenda for this meeting. Is it agreed that the minutes are in order? Agreed. Are there any matters arising?
Business of Joint Committee.
I was in touch with the Chairman regarding the visit to Israel to ascertain whether a project brought to the committee's attention could be visited. Can such arrangements be made? Is there any news on the matter?
We raised it and requested a visit and will know the outcome later today.
Therefore, we do not have any control over the itinerary. It is a matter for the Israelis.
The ambassador is taking care of it. We said we wanted to visit the project and he is trying to arrange it.
I am grateful to the Chairman. Israel is a country I have known for a long time. My knowledge of the Israelis is that they will try to control everything and ensure one sees what they wish one to see. It is necessary to be firm and state we have decided we want to see the project. However, I am grateful to the Chairman for his interest in the matter.
We conveyed this wish to the ambassador who, in turn, has conveyed it onwards. We hope to have the matter clarified by this evening.
The committee may need to insist. When I was there ten days ago, I was told to get out because of safety concerns. However, I refused. It is not one bit dangerous.