Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In general, referring items to committee, and the clerk to the committee can correct me, is just for the convenience of the Dáil that will, ultimately, decide this. Technically, the Dáil could have a debate on this matter but there would not be enough time. The Dáil refers these matters to a committee and I am happy to talk at any committee.

Issues such as Singapore and human rights or whatever at a European level would certainly be dealt with by the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which would be related to this committee, rather than the EU General Affairs Council, which would be the equivalent of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. Perhaps that is the reason in this case.