Is the proposal agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 5.9 is COM (2006) 458, a proposal for a decision concerning the establishment of the European joint undertaking in respect of the proposed international thermonuclear experimental reactor, ITER, which is a nuclear fusion research project involving the People's Republic of China, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, India and the European Union. This proposal concerns the approval of legal status of a joint undertaking that would be established to discharge EURATOM's obligations to ITER. Inter alia, the undertaking would co-ordinate EURATOM’s participation in ITER and provide for the implementation of relevant activities therein. It is proposed that the technical proposal does not warrant further scrutiny and should be forwarded for the information of the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government in the context of its consideration of related proposals referred to it for further scrutiny, those being, COM (2006) 240 and COM (2005) 445. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 5.10 is COM (2006) 460, a proposal for a decision concerning the joint management committee of the association agreement between Chile and the European Community and the EC's position thereon regarding the standards applicable to trade in animals, animal products, plants, plant products and other goods. The proposed changes to be agreed by the joint committee in this regard concern previous changes to EC and Chilean legislation and the widening of related controls to include animal transport matters. It is proposed that the technical proposal does not warrant further scrutiny and should be forwarded for the information of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food in the context of the wider issue of the standards set for food imports from outside the European Union. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 5.11 is COM (2006) 461, a proposal for an amending regulation with respect to fishing opportunities as a consequence, inter alia, of international agreements. The proposal concerns basking shark, quotas for Icelandic vessels, western channel sole stocks and herring quotas for Poland. It is proposed that the proposed measure be forwarded for the information of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 5.12 is COM (2006) 485, a proposal for a regulation fixing the fishing opportunities and associated conditions in the Baltic Sea for 2007. It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 5.13 is COM (2006) 492, an amended proposal for a decision concerning the European year of intercultural dialogue, 2008. In its memorandum to this proposal, the Commission sets out that it believes that it should be a priority for all those living in the European Union to play a full part in managing our diversity. Moreover, the Commission states that intercultural dialogue is an instrument that could facilitate the implementation of a series of strategic priorities for the Union. The Commission is proposing to dedicate 2008 as the European year of intercultural dialogue.
It is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny and that the proposed measure be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, as well as the Joint Committee on Education and Science, given the educational focus of the proposal. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Items Nos. 5.14 and 5.15 were originally listed as items Nos. 4.1 and 4.2, follow-up early warning notes. These are proposals for decisions terminating the anti-dumping proceedings concerning imports of recordable digital versatile discs, DVDs, originating in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and CDs originating in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The Commission is not proposing to impose duties, despite the establishment of dumping and injury to industry. Additional clarity on the background to this proposal was sought from the Department. The Department has now outlined that the Commission investigations concluded that the producer interest is very low and that Ireland shares the Commission's analysis of the market. Based on the additional information provided by the Department, it is proposed that the proposals do not warrant further scrutiny. It is also proposed that the proposed measures be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next matter is item No. 6.1, COM (2006) 330, a proposal for an amended regulation establishing a levy in the milk and milk products sector. Consideration of this proposal was deferred at the previous meeting to allow the Department provide additional information on this matter. There are two elements to this proposal. The first, which the Department states will have no implications for Ireland, allows new member states to alter their management of certain elements of the levy. The second element of the proposal would provide for the payment by member states of the milk levy between 16 October and 30 November each year. To date the deadline has been 1 October.
The Department had been requested to outline in more detail its understanding of the implications for Ireland of the changes in the date of payment of the levy. The Department has now confirmed to the committee that the adopted measure will have no effect on the collection mechanisms applied by purchasers and consequently will not impact on Irish dairy farmers. The measure was adopted by the Council in September. It is proposed, following the provision of additional material by the Department, to note the measure. It is also proposed that the material related to the measure be forwarded for information to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 6.2 is COM (2006) 488, a Council regulation concerning a prohibition on the sale or supply of arms and related material and services to certain individuals and entities in Lebanon. The regulation provides that arms and related material and services should only be provided to Lebanon where authorised by the Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL. It is proposed to note the measure. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 7.1 is EWN regulation 1350/2006, a provisional anti-dumping measures concerning tungsten electrode products, used for welding and similar processes, imported from the People's Republic of China. It is proposed that the proposal does not currently warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 7.2 is EWN 2006/C181/08, notification of expiry review of anti-dumping measures concerning iron or steel ropes imported from Russia, Thailand and Turkey. It is proposed that the proposal does not currently warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 7.3 is EWN 2006/C223/05, notification of an expiry review of anti-dumping measures concerning certain gas fuelled non-refillable lighters imported from the People's Republic of China. It is proposed that the proposal does not currently warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Item No. 8 is the report of the sub-committee. The draft 71st report has been circulated. I propose that the report be forwarded to the Joint Committee on European Affairs for agreement to lay before both Houses along with appendices. Is that agreed? Agreed.