Apologies have been received from Deputy Phil Hogan.
The first item on the agenda is the minutes of the last meeting. Are they agreed? Agreed.
The next item is correspondence received and circulated since the last meeting. No. 1, the October newsletter on homelessness has been e-mailed and we note this.
No. 33 is the EPA Proposed Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2008-2012. We note this but during the year we will bring in the EPA, so we can discuss it then.
No. 34 is the EPA annual report and accounts. We note that report, which we will discuss when the EPA comes in.
No. 35 is an invitation. During Slovenia's Presidency of the Council of the European Union its national assembly will hold a meeting of chairmen of parliamentary committees in member states, candidate countries, national parliaments and the European Parliament. The invitation also extends to the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and details have been circulated. The next item raises another event in Vancouver, so I suggest we refer it to the climate change committee. Because it relates to climate change, members of that committee may wish to attend. Is that agreed? Agreed.
No. 36 is details of the GLOBE 2008 environment conference in Vancouver next March, which have been posted and e-mailed to members. Discounts are available if registration is completed this week. Bearing in mind that our annual travel budget is €30,000, initial estimates for the travel include: a cost of €3,300 per delegate, travelling economy class; a cost of €5,200 per delegate travelling premium economy class; and €7,700 per delegate travelling business class. We need to ensure we do not commit too much of the annual budget allowance too early in the year. However, I have some expressions of interest. Deputy Bannon and Senator Glynn have indicated they would be available to attend on behalf of the committee. Are any other members interested?
