We will authorise the clerk to write again to the relevant person and indicate that this matter has again taken up the meeting in a very substantial way and echo the concern of members of the committee. It is reflected in other committees of which Deputy Cassidy is a member. In relation to document COM (2003) 199, we will request that the relevant official be brought to the next meeting so that we can give it the best analysis and evaluation we can, given the experience we bring to bear on it and within the limited resources we have. Is that agreed? Agreed.
We have asked for observations in relation to document COM (2003) 270, which has been circulated to us. Have we had an opportunity of making any evaluation or observations on this significant document? This is only for the committee's observation. There are 62 pages. Service and general interest covers both market and non-market services, which public authorities class as being of general interest, subject to specific public service obligations. Transport, postal services, energy and communications are examples of services of general economic interest. Other activities subject to public service obligations are also included. It is a Green Paper, in effect, covering items of general interest. I believe this is one that we should be in a position to make observations on. There is no legal basis or treaty article underpinning this particular document. It is a Green Paper. All parties and institutions, including the European Parliament, have a right to make their observations. Nobody is delimited in making observations in it.
One of the points indicated at No. 14 is that there would not to be any direct implications for Ireland. However, it deals with services of general interest and as such contributes to the debate about the development and evolution of the provision of services and matters of general interest in the context of competition rules, public service obligations, the internal market and economic development. I believe the consultation phase continues until 15 September 2003, so I suppose we will have an opportunity until then to make observations. The difficulty is that we will not have a committee meeting until early September. What are the members' views on this? We probably could arrange a meeting early in September to deal with this aspect.