JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Jan 2008

Business of Joint Committee.

Chairman

The joint committee has some housekeeping work to attend to, although it should not detain us for long. No. 2, a draft report of the joint committee's consideration of European Commission green and white papers at its meeting of 18 December, has been circulated. Is it agreed to approve the report? Agreed. Is it agreed that it be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas? Agreed.

No. 3 is the draft minutes of the meeting of 18 December, which have been circulated. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

No. 4, correspondence received by the joint committee since the previous meeting, has been circulated. It is proposed to note No. 36, a copy of the Slovenian EU Presidency programme. Is that agreed? Agreed. For the information of members, the Slovenian Ambassador to Ireland will attend a meeting of the joint committee in early February for an exchange of views on the priorities of the Slovenian EU Presidency.

It is proposed to note No. 37, a copy of the European Commission newsletter No. 10 on relations with national parliaments. Is that agreed? Agreed. No. 38 is an invitation to attend a COSAC chairpersons meeting in Slovenia and a draft programme for the meeting.

Deputy Mary O’Rourke

I propose that the Chairman attend the meeting.

Chairman

Is the proposal agreed? Agreed. The cost of the visit will be €1,120.

No. 5 is travel proposals. It is proposed to attend a joint parliamentary meeting on the Lisbon strategy in Brussels on 11 and 12 February 2008. A draft programme of the meeting, including estimated costs, has been circulated. Is it agreed that four members will attend the meeting? The figure is not rigid.

Deputy Noel Treacy

While I have an open mind, I am not desirous to attend.

Deputy Mary O’Rourke

I am not desirous to go to Brussels either.

Chairman

I am not too desirous myself. Is it agreed to send a delegation? Agreed. I will ask the convenors to convey to the secretariat as soon as possible the names of members who will attend.

In accordance with rules on committee travel, the joint committee is required to consider it agreed that these meetings are directly and explicitly linked to an area of work in which the joint committee has decided to become involved, pursuant to its orders of reference and in the context of its work programme. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator Paschal Donohoe, on behalf of Senators, has proposed to change the 2.30 p.m. start time for meetings of the joint committee as it conflicts with the commencement of Seanad business. Is it agreed to change the time of meetings to 2 p.m.? Agreed.

Deputy Noel Treacy

Before Christmas, I found that three meetings I wished to attend were held at the same time. One cannot walk out of a meeting.

Chairman

I ask that the secretariat keep an eye on the scheduling of other committee meetings.

Deputy Noel Treacy

We will try to have our meetings at a different time.

Deputy Joe Costello

The problem with reverting to a 2 p.m. start is that Senators will leave at 2.30 p.m. Would it be better to meet at 3 p.m. when Senators have had an opportunity to have their say in the Seanad?

Deputy Mary O’Rourke

We could squawk upstairs before coming downstairs to squawk more.

Senator Terry Leyden

If one raises a matter on the Order of Business, one cannot leave the Chamber as one wants to listen to the reply. It would be preferable, therefore, to meet at 2 p.m. and those who wish to attend the House for the Order of Business can do so if they wish.

Chairman

I suggest we try the 2 p.m. time and if we need to change the time again, we will do so. Eventually, we will get it right. Is there any other business?

The joint committee went into private session at 5.45 p.m. and adjourned at 6 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 17 January 2008.