A dhaoine uaisle, cuirim fáilte romhaibh uilig. Táimid réidh chun cruinniú eile don Chomhchoiste um Feidhmiú Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta a thosnú. We are ready to proceed. I welcome all those who are with us, particularly our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Ms Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA; Mr. Pat Doherty, MP, MLA; and Mr. Alasdair McDonnell, MP, MLA. They are accompanied by Mr. Conor Heaney, Mr. Michael McGorman, Councillor Joe Byrne and Ms Nicola Mallon. I welcome the former Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, who has joined our committee. I also thank Senator Mary White for attending. Apologies have been received from Deputies Margaret Conlon, Seymour Crawford and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Senator Cecilia Keaveney, Mr. Eddie McGrady, MP, Lady SylviaHermon, MP, and Minister for Regional Development in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Conor Murphy, MP, MLA. We understand their positions.
I remind those in the visitors Gallery, members, staff and colleagues to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. Nothing annoys me more than people texting and leaving the room to take calls. If we are in business in committee, I want all mobile phones switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference not only with our focus but, even if in silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. I ask that everyone respect this instruction and ensure mobile phones are switched off. They must not be used for any purpose, messages or otherwise, during our meetings. These are the rules of the Houses and we should adhere to them.
Prior to commencing, I advise the witnesses that whereas Members of the Houses enjoy absolute privilege in respect of utterances made in committee, witnesses do not enjoy absolute privilege. Accordingly, caution should be exercised, particularly with regard to references of a personal nature.
The minutes of the meeting of 15 May 2008 have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.
We received one item of correspondence which is notification from the Loccum Academy in Germany concerning an upcoming international conference from 17 to 19 October 2008 entitled, Demilitarising Conflicts: Learning Lessons in Northern Ireland, Palestine and Israel. It is topical at this time. I propose that two officials and five members of the committee attend this conference, two Government, two Opposition and myself. Is that agreed? Agreed.