Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have a quorum and the committee is now in public session. I remind members and visitors that they must switch off their mobile telephones. It is not sufficient to put them in silent mode. They need to be switched off otherwise they will interfere with our recording equipment and we will not be able to broadcast the proceedings as a result.

The first item on our agenda today is the United Kingdom and the European Union and we are delighted to welcome Mr. David Lidington, M.P., the UK Minister for Europe. Members are aware that this is Europe week which is being celebrated by several meetings and debates in the House. There was a debate in the Dáil last evening attended by An Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, party leaders and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Europe, Deputy Lucinda Creighton.

The committee has been closely following the changing approach of the United Kingdom to the European Union in recent months. We are all aware of the Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron's indication of his desire to renegotiate part of the relationship with the European Union. That has been the subject of some debate at this committee in recent months. Any change in the relationship of our closest neighbour with the European Union has profound implications for Ireland. That is one of the topics we look forward to exploring here today. Mr. Lidington can spend approximately one hour with us. I invite him to make some opening comments and then I will invite questions from the floor.