Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his attendance and for answering all the questions comprehensively today, even though some of them may not have been on the agenda or will not be on the agenda for the meeting next Monday. I wish the Tánaiste well at the meeting in Luxembourg next Monday and thank him for working with the joint committee in recent years and hopefully this will continue. I wish the Tánaiste and his officials well during the remainder of their time holding the European Union Presidency. I also thank the officials for the support they provided to the joint committee during the preparations for the recent interparliamentary conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP, and the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP.

In the absence of any other business, before I conclude the meeting the joint committee probably should send a letter to the chargé d'affaires at the United States Embassy, Mr. John Hennessey-Niland, to express members' sympathy in the wake of the recent Boston bombings. That is important in the context of the horrible attacks that killed three people and injured 140 people. I am sure the joint committee will agree to do that. Is that agreed? Agreed.