Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for taking time to update the joint committee on the current position following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. I hope the ceasefire which will come into place in Israel and Gaza at 7 p.m. will hold and we will have a peaceful Christmas in the region. The joint committee will address the issue again at future meetings.

While the Tánaiste's time is precious, I ask that he come before us again before Christmas to outline his priorities for the Irish Presidency during the first six months of 2013. This is an issue of major importance to the joint committee. I also thank his officials for appearing before us.