Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputies Crowe and Quinn. I remind members and those in the public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting because, even when in silent mode, they cause interference with the recording equipment in the committee rooms.

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider two motions, referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann, on the economic partnership agreement between west African states, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, UEMOA, of the one part and the European Union and its member states of the other part. The second motion is the economic partnership agreement between the CARIFORUM states of the one part and the European Union and its member states of the other part. Under the terms of the Dáil motion of 11 November 2015, the select committee must consider the matter and report back to the House not later than 26 November 2015.

On behalf of the select committee, I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for development, trade promotion and North-South co-operation, Deputy Sherlock, and his officials. I congratulate him and the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, on their superb work in recent weeks. We know it has been very difficult to get them because they have been in Belfast. It is good that the Stormont talks were successful and I congratulate our delegation from the Irish Government which took part in the talks.

We will hear an opening presentation from the Minister of State and then take questions from members.