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JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS (Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny) díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Jul 2003

Vol. 1 No. 35

Business of Sub-Committee.

Item 4, on the agenda concerns reports of the sub-committee. The draft 16th report of the sub-committee has been circulated. It is proposed that the report, as circulated, and as amended to take account of today's meeting, be agreed and laid in the Library. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On correspondence, a letter has been received from Mr. Paul Haran, Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, regarding proposals that had been before the Committee and were adopted prior to scrutiny. I am sure the sub-committee will welcome Mr. Haran's confirmation that efforts will be made to ensure that proposals in the future - except where absolutely necessary - are not adopted prior to scrutiny by the sub-committee. I am also informed that two informational notes on anti-dumping proposals were received in the secretariat yesterday, and these measures have not yet been adopted. I should point out that Mr. Haran, who is away on business, I understand, with the Tánaiste, did telephone my office twice. Unfortunately, I was not there. He did not leave a number to phone back, but as he was out of the country, I was not able to contact him. It seems that Mr. Haran is genuinely making efforts to meet the committee's concerns. He offered to send a principal officer to the committee's meeting today. I consulted with the secretariat and I did not feel that that met the concerns of the committee in the first instance. In the second instance the Secretary General did appear to be trying to deal with the issue.

I propose, for the moment, that we do not ask Mr. Haran to reply, that I have personal discussions with him, and that if the matter arises again we will invite him in, but otherwise let the matter rest there. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The second item of correspondence was received from Ms Regina Terry of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, confirming, as requested, that Council document 14363 of 2002 had lapsed. It is proposed to note this correspondence. Is that agreed? Agreed. The third letter was received from Mr. Adrian Farrell of the Department of Foreign Affairs, enclosing a copy of the EU consolidated treaties. It is proposed to note this correspondence.

The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for Thursday, 24 July at 9.30 a.m. My understanding is that that will be the last meeting of the committee this month. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The sub-committee adjourned at 10.12 a.m. sine die.
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