Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is fine. We had a very interesting meeting with the makers of the "What in the World" programme on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I am sure the Tánaiste will get some questions on the issue following his meeting in Brussels on Monday.

I welcome the Tánaiste to today's meeting. I also welcome his officials. I am aware he has a busy schedule. We can tell that from his movements. He is accompanied by Mr. David Donoghue, political director, whom we all know well, Ms Dearbhla Doyle, European correspondent, and Mr. Pat Kelly, director of the Middle East unit. They are all very welcome.

The Tánaiste is present to brief us on the work done by the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU. He is usually present before the meeting but on this occasion he is present after the meeting, which is probably much better given what is happening in the Middle East currently. He will take us through the main points of the discussions and decisions of the Council at its October meeting and bring us up to date on the November meeting which took place on Monday last. I understand that he will also look ahead to other issues that are expected to arise at the December meeting.

A number of the issues that have been in focus at the Foreign Affairs Council have also been the subject of discussions at this committee in recent times. Earlier today the committee heard disturbing accounts of the humanitarian situation in DRC and I am glad to see some movement in the EU approach to the issue reflected in the Council's conclusions.

The Middle East, of course, has rightly been a priority for the council, as it has been for this committee with the escalation of violence in Palestine and Israel adding to the great instability in the region. It is also very difficult to be optimistic about the future of Syria, notwithstanding some developments towards a unified opposition. In addition, the Iranian nuclear programme and other issues remain real concerns in that region. On the Middle East process, I thank the Tánaiste for his comprehensive response to the committee's proposals to him on the question of a ban on the importation of goods originating in the illegal settlements of the West Bank. I know he issued that response indicating a strong commitment to all Members of the House. The Tánaiste has always shown himself to be constructive in his engagement in and his views on the Middle East process, and I know it is high on his agenda.