Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for raising those preliminary matters. I agree with him that the committee does not have long to deal with the matter. Although I am briefing the committee, that is why it is intended to bring the matter before the floor of the Dáil prior to 17 June, where there will obviously be a full debate. If it is the case, however, that agreement is not reached between the EU and Kazakhstan, that decision will come back before the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval. That will give Members of the Dáil the opportunity to vote on and consider the substance of any such agreement.

The Cathaoirleach referred to the ability to see the content of the agreement which the Commission has identified is restricted. My understanding, based on the information I have been given on why that is so and why the annexes have not been provided - I believe the committee has been provided with the articles of the Council decision - is that negotiations are due to commence with Kazakhstan and the information set out in the annexe is information the Commission says is confidential for the purpose of its negotiation tactics. It would prefer if that information was not publicly disclosed to the other party to the negotiations, that is, Kazakhstan. I will come back to that point.

The Cathaoirleach asked whether the annexes will be given to the committee. I would like to give them to committee members, but my understanding is that Ireland cannot give the annexes to the committee at this stage. What I can seek to do is to attempt to give my overview of the content of the annexes and issues therein. That might be of some assistance. However, we are restricted from providing the committee with the content of the annexes. That is not something I am particularly happy about, but it is an instruction that has come from the EU. As I said, I am happy to give the committee an overview on the broader detail and if there is a subsequent agreement with Kazakhstan, that will come back to the Houses.