Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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As we have a quorum we will commence in public session. Before proceeding with business I remind members and those in the Gallery that mobile phones should be switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in committee rooms. The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the agreement between the European Community and the Republic of South African and the framework agreements between the European Union, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Indonesia. The Dáil ordered the referral of this proposal to the select committee on 28 March and under the terms of the order, the committee must complete its consideration and send a message to that effect to the Dáil not later than 23 April. The committee will consider the proposal but not make any decision with regard to it. On behalf of the select committee I again welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and I propose that we now hear opening remarks from him before discussing the proposal as a single item.