Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)
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I move:

"(1) That a sub-Committee of the Select Committee on European Affairs, consisting of 5 members, be appointed to be joined with a sub-Committee of the Select Committee on European Affairs, to be appointed by Dáil Éireann, to form a Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee on European Affairs which shall be called the 'Sub-Committee on Ireland's future in the European Union' to—

analyse the challenges facing Ireland in the European Union (EU) following the Lisbon Treaty Referendum result;

consider Ireland's future in the EU including in relation to economic and financial matters, social policy, defence and foreign policy and our influence within the European Institutions;

make recommendations to enhance the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas in EU affairs;

consider measures to improve public understanding of the EU and its fundamental importance for Ireland's future;

and shall report thereon to the Joint Committee on European Affairs by 28 November 2008.

(2) The Sub-Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 70(1), (2) and (4) to (9) inclusive.

(3) The Minister for Foreign Affairs (or a Minister or Minister of State nominated in his or her stead) shall be an ex-officio member of the Sub-Committee and shall be entitled to attend and to vote.

(4) The quorum of the Sub-Committee shall be 4.

(5) Members of the European Parliament elected from constituencies in Ireland may attend meetings of the Sub-Committee and may take part in proceedings without having a right to vote or to move motions and amendments.".

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I move an amendment to the motion:

To insert after the word "That" in the first line, ", notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and the Order of the Seanad of 24 October 2007 in relation to the establishment of the Joint Committee on European Affairs,".

This amendment is simply a fail-safe mechanism to ensure the committee is unchallengeable and above reproach. It covers the two areas with which we have difficulty and will make no difference beyond that. I thank the Minister of State for his tolerance.

Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senator O'Toole to clarify that was the decision of the House concerning the establishment of the Joint Committee on European Affairs.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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Yes, on 24 October 2007.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I realise that there are differences in the Standing Orders of both Houses. I want to thank Members, and in particular Senator O'Toole, for drawing this to my attention. It is very important that the committee gets under way without any question of it being ultra vires and certainly without giving people who might have malign intent the opportunity to challenge it. Now that it satisfies all the requirements of this House, there can be no reason to challenge it. Therefore, good work has been done here. I am grateful to the Senator and to other Members on both sides of the House.