Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Our first business is dealing with a number of EU legislative proposals. Schedule B includes COM (2013) 781; COM (2014) 161, 223, 239, 261, 283, and 298; EWN:2014/C138/33; and EWN:2014/C 44/14. It is proposed that these items do not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We will now deal with the proposals under schedule A. COM (2014) 258 is a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council regarding appliances burning gaseous fuels. It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

COM (2014) 166 is a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the reduction or elimination of customs duties on goods originating in Ukraine. It is proposed to note that this is an adopted measure. Do members have any comments?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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I have an issue with this proposal. The situation in Ukraine is very difficult.

It is very complex and it probably needs more time for discussion than we are able to deliver here. I also believe, obviously, that Ukraine is at a critical juncture in how it resolves its relationships with the EU and Russia. Everybody would support the Ukrainians in their efforts to deal with that. Russia has obviously played a shocking role in the destabilisation of the region and it has been very expansionist in that regard. Its role has been a multiple of any role played by the EU. However, the EU's role has been expansionist in the area and this negotiation of a trade agreement is part of that expansion and it is happening at the same time as Ukraine is trying to resolve its relationship internally.
We have been given this COM not as an opportunity to give input to it, but just as a fait accompli. We should communicate our dissatisfaction to the source of this COM that our national Parliament, the Oireachtas, has not been given an opportunity to input into its development in some way before it has become a done deal, as such.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Are there any other comments on the issue? The COM has already been passed, so it is an adopted measure. Do we agree to note it and also express our dissatisfaction with not having had a chance to be involved in the process? I point out that it is a temporary COM providing for a reduction in customs duties up to November. We should ask to have a chance to debate it prior to November if there are any changes to it. I accept there are different views around the table on in. We will ask that we have the chance to give it proper scrutiny next time.

COM(2014)170 is a proposal for a Council decision on a position to be taken by the European Union within the trade committee set up by the trade agreement between the European Union and its member states, of the one part, and Colombia and Peru, of the other, as regards the adoption of the rules of procedure for the trade committee, the rules of procedure and the code of conduct for arbitrators, the establishment of the list of arbitrators, the list of experts and the group of experts, and the adoption of the rules of procedure for the group of experts on trade and sustainable development. It is proposed that we note this adoptive measure - again it has already been adopted.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Deputies Lyons, Lawlor and I met representatives of human rights NGOs with regard to the difficulties occurring in Colombia. There are major issues with access to land and resources. There is extreme poverty in the country and it is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist - hundreds and even thousands of trade unionists have been killed there. With the onset of this European free-trade agreement with Colombia, there have been mass uprisings among the people of Colombia, which have led to 70 deaths. I believe the trade committee dealt with in this COM is not sufficient in its oversight of human rights to be able to deal with the problems happening in Colombia. The committee has sent a letter to the Minister requesting a debate on the floor of the Dáil on the issue as soon as possible before the trade agreement is passed, or not, by the Oireachtas. Had we had the opportunity - again we do not - my view would be that this would be held back until there is a determination by the Oireachtas on the whole trade agreement itself.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Is it agreed that we would write to the Commission expressing annoyance that we do not have a chance to debate it and also that this is not the right trade committee to deal with the concerns raised by the NGOs?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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It is that the trade committee that would be central to the trade agreement with Colombia is not the proper committee to deal with the human rights issues involved.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Is that a summary of people's thoughts on it? Are members happy enough?

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I agree with it, too.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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That concludes our EU scrutiny for today.