I am deputising for the Chairman, Senator Ivor Callely, who sends his apologies. He is not able to attend because of the funeral of a close friend. Apologies have also been received from Deputies Frank Fahey and Alan Shatter and Senator David Norris. Mobile telephones interfere with the communications system within the Houses so they need to be completely turned off. The minutes of the previous meeting of 11 February 2010 have been circulated. Are there any matters arising? Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.
We have to deal with a number of items of correspondence. The Chairman sent a letter on behalf of the sub-committee dated 26 February 2010, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, asking for his views on Israeli obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israeli Euromed agreement of 1995. The Chairman also sent a letter on 26 February 2010 to the Israeli ambassador Dr. Zion Evrony, acknowledging a letter dated 17 February sent by Ms Zach on the subject of why the ambassador did not come before the sub-committee when invited on a previous occasion. These letters have been circulated for information. It is proposed that they be noted. Is that agreed? Agreed. The Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs requested information from the former Israeli ambassador to the UN and he was to come back to the committee with a reply. However, he has not done so and we will have to chase the matter up.
The Chairman received a letter dated 21 April 2010 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, agreeing to address the sub-committee on human rights with reference to the EU-Colombian free trade agreement. The Minister will be before us shortly so will give us his views on that issue.
