Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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I ask that mobile phones be turned off and advise those sitting close to microphones that iPads will interfere with the recording equipment and should also be turned off. Apologies have been received from Deputies Seán Crowe and Dara Murphy and Senator Kathryn Reilly.

On behalf of the joint committee, I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, who has special responsibility for European affairs. The Minister of State will deal with two distinct matters, first, next week's meeting of the General Affairs Council and, second, the review of foreign policy and external relations that will be undertaken by his Department in the next few months. I propose to deal with these subjects separately and suggest we begin by discussing next week's meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels. The Council is expected to consider the European External Action Service, the preparations for the December European Council and the subject of enlargement. When we have concluded our discussion on the Council, we will then turn to the review of foreign policy and external relations.