Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will make three points in response. First, the Dáil in plenary session on 15 September referred this issue to this committee. Second, I understand there is ample precedent for this committee dealing with such arrangements. Third, given what Deputy Brady has said, I will contact the Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs. My understanding is that in terms of the CETA arrangement, the Committee on European Union Affairs made a strong pitch that it would be the committee dealing with that and, because of that, it was referred by the plenary session of the Dáil to that committee rather than to us. I suggest that we seek approval and ask the Minister of State to, or that we ourselves would, make mention of the concerns that have been raised here. I am not sure how much further we can take this in terms of other committees dealing with it. I do not want to pre-empt what the Committee on European Union Affairs might do but I imagine it will be mindful of the fact we have given consideration to this in accordance with the mandate that was given to us directly from the Dáil on 15 September. I will flag the issue in terms of Deputy Brady and Deputy Clarke being satisfied that the process here was in accordance with good practice and the business of committees.

We are referring this back to the Dáil. If the Dáil has further issues with that, it is a matter for general Standing Orders and it will then be a matter for the Ceann Comhairle. I suggest that we complete our business in accordance with the mandate given to us on 15 September. If the Dáil wishes to take matters further, that would be a matter for the Dáil. I am sure the Minister of State is, as he has said, in the hands of the Dáil.