The Minister is very welcome. Since his last visit to this committee, Ireland has been allocated the new research and innovation portfolio in the European Commission. I wonder what the Minister’s view is of the importance of this portfolio to Ireland and to the post-Lisbon strategy. To what extent does he believe the post-2010 Lisbon strategy will prioritise the whole area of research and innovation. Other speakers have mentioned the issue of the newly-appointed high representative. Have there been any substantive discussions as yet among member states at Council level on the issue of the European External Action Service, and how that might be put together and what the views of the Irish Government and the Minister’s Department would be, as regards how that new service will evolve?

The Minister and others have mentioned the Middle East peace process. I share the same frustration as others. We seem to be saying the same things about the Middle East peace process and the situation in Gaza in meeting after meeting. Does the Minister believe the conclusions to be adopted by the Council at this meeting will change in any way or will there be any shift in the position of the EU? There appears to be virtual paralysis at the moment and unless the EU injects a new dynamic into the diplomatic process, it looks as if we shall see this continue. To what extent does he believe that there is a willingness on the part of the EU to separate itself somewhat from the position of the US and inject a new dynamic into the Middle East peace process? Does the Minister agree that the lifting of the blockade on Gaza should be the priority, particularly given that this is absolutely necessary if there is to be any type of social and economic reconstruction following the attack by Israel on Gaza last December?

I have raised the issue with the Minister before about the free trade agreement that is being negotiated by the EU with Colombia. I am very concerned that the free trade negotiations appear to be continuing. I recommend that the Minister should scrutinise the document produced recently by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Trading Away Human Rights, as regards why the EU-Colombia free trade agreement is a step in the wrong direction. A very important point made by this document is the fact that the free trade agreements that were being negotiated by the US, Canada and Norway with Colombia have effectively been suspended because of human rights concerns. The EU seems to be the only block that is pursuing this free trade agreement and destroying what appears to be an international consensus on the issue of the importance of Colombia demonstrating that it is living up to its human rights and trade union obligations.

This committee will be discussing the new scrutiny role of national parliaments under the responsibilities and powers we have assumed under the Lisbon treaty. What are the Minister’s views in this regard and has his Department any ideas as regards how we might strengthen the European dimension of the business of both Houses of the Oireachtas? We are at an important point. This committee is looking at how it can play its part, as is the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny, in strengthening the European dimension, but this is about much more than the role of the two European committees and I hope the Minister will elaborate on his ideas in this regard.

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