I remind members and those in the Visitors Gallery to please ensure their mobile phones and BlackBerry devices are turned off completely for the duration of the meeting because even in silent mode, they interfere with the sound recording equipment. I would be grateful if everyone complied with that request.
Apologies have been received from Deputy Rory O'Hanlon and Senator David Norris. The minutes of the meetings of 18 and 25 Novembers have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed.
We have one item of EU scrutiny concerning decisions taken by the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny on 2 December 2009. It is proposed that it be noted. Is that agreed? Agreed.