Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Jun 2016

Business of Select Committee

Chairman

As we have a quorum, we shall go into public session. Apologies have been received from Deputies Crowe and Barrett and their substitutes are Deputies Funchion and Durkan.

I welcome all of the members of the select committee to its first meeting of the 32nd Dáil. I look forward to working with all of them in a genuine spirit of partnership and co-operation. I am confident that we will bring our combined skills, experience and commitment to bear on the work ahead. We will make this a highly productive committee that discharges its functions in a efficient, progressive and enlightened way.

I propose that we go into private session to consider the arrangement and format for today's meeting, namely the discussion of the Estimates.

Deputy Darragh O'Brien

I congratulate the Chairman on his appointment and I look forward to working with everyone on the committee. We should, at the earliest opportunity, see what we can do to address the refugee and migrant crisis. I know that is for another day because today we are dealing with the Revised Estimates. The crisis in Europe and on its borders needs to be the absolute focus of this committee. We must also look at the EU-Turkey deal and how it impacts on the rights of refugees. The refugee and migrant crisis should be our main focus between now and the summer recess.

Chairman

I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan

I offer my sincere congratulations to the Chairman on his appointment. I worked with him in the previous Dáil. We were both members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade so I know how fair, impartial and willing to listen he is. I also wish the committee staff well. They performed a fantastic job on the previous foreign affairs committee and I have no doubt that we will work well together on this one.

Chairman

I thank the Deputy.

Deputy Tony McLoughlin

I would like to be associated with the words of congratulations expressed to the Chairman. Since my appointment to this committee I have looked forward to working with him and with colleagues from all parties and none over the next period.

Chairman

I thank the Deputy and welcome Deputy Durkan. It was a pleasure to work with Deputy Durkan during the five-year term of the previous Dáil. He has been a very committed and hardworking member of this committee at all stages.

Deputy Darragh O'Brien mentioned the migration crisis. Earlier this morning, I discussed that matter with our officials. A UN migration summit will take place in September and will be chaired by Ireland and Jordan. When we know the identities of the Senators who will serve on the joint committee and as soon as the latter is formed, the migration issue will be one of the first subjects that will be discussed. There are many pressing issues in terms of the migration issue as a whole. I can confirm that we discussed the matter this morning.

I propose that we go into private session to make arrangements to discuss the Estimates. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The select committee went into private session at 9.10 a.m. and resumed in public session at 9.15 a.m.