The other items to be considered are the annual report for 2002-03 and the work programme for 2004. Copies of the draft report which covers the period between the establishment of the joint and select committees and the end of 2003 were circulated to members on 11 March. In essence, it is an historical record of the meetings, etc., which took place. The year 2003 was a particularly busy one for the joint committee because the report on carers was compiled. The great work done as part of the project is documented in the draft report. Members can read details of the number of hours worked, etc.
Copies of the work programme for 2004 have also been circulated. Members have not yet suggested amendments to it. If there are no amendments, I propose that we adopt the report forthwith in order that it may be laid before both Houses. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The final issue I wish to raise affects Deputies Ring, Crawford and Connolly. No objection was raised when the Department of Social and Family Affairs asked last month whether members of the committee would have any problems if oral parliamentary questions to the Department, scheduled to be answered on 4 May, were answered on 27 April. However, arising from the decision not to take oral parliamentary questions next Thursday - Holy Thursday - the Department has advised that its oral parliamentary questions are now scheduled for Wednesday, 28 April, rather than the previous day. Questions to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs will be taken on Wednesday, 28 April.