JOINT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS debate -
Tuesday, 13 Jan 2009

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

We have a quorum so we will get under way in public session.

Apologies have been received from Deputies Seán Ardagh, John Deasy, Michael Noonan, Darragh O'Brien and Rory O'Hanlon, and Senator David Norris. I wish everyone a happy new year and look forward to working with them in 2009.

I remind members and those in the public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones and BlackBerries are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms.

The minutes of the previous meeting on 17 December were circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

Deputy Michael D. Higgins

I have one point. It would be appropriate at our next meeting to have the opportunity to express our regret at the passing of a member of the committee, Deputy Tony Gregory.

Chairman

We can do that today. Is that agreed? Agreed.

There is a letter dated 19 December 2008 from the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny with attached schedule of decisions taken. No decisions taken by that committee were referred to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. It is proposed that this is noted. Is that agreed? Agreed.