Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The first matter of business is COM (2016) 662, under Schedule A, which is a proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area, PRIMA . It is proposed that this proposal warrants further scrutiny. Is that agreed?

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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I reiterate the concerns expressed in private session regarding Israeli participation in this initiative. Given that one of the elements of PRIMA relates to the provision of water and food, there is significant cause for concern arising from Israel's record of depriving Palestinian communities of water, deliberately diverting supplies away from Palestinian lands and engaging in the persistent persecution of local farmers by destroying one of their best resources, namely, their olive trees. We must question Israeli participation in this programme. I note the concerns that have been articulated about how the proposal might impact SMEs and research activity in this country. We should also record our concern about Israel's role in the programme, particularly in regard to the provision of food and water.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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We have agreed that the proposal warrants further scrutiny and have requested an information note. The committee will discuss the matter further in January. Is that agreed? Agreed.