I am deputising for the Chairman, Senator Ivor Callely, who sends his apologies. He is not able to attend because of the funeral of a close friend. Apologies have also been received from Deputies Frank Fahey and Alan Shatter and Senator David Norris. Mobile telephones interfere with the communications system within the Houses so they need to be completely turned off. The minutes of the previous meeting of 11 February 2010 have been circulated. Are there any matters arising? Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.

We have to deal with a number of items of correspondence. The Chairman sent a letter on behalf of the sub-committee dated 26 February 2010, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, asking for his views on Israeli obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israeli Euromed agreement of 1995. The Chairman also sent a letter on 26 February 2010 to the Israeli ambassador Dr. Zion Evrony, acknowledging a letter dated 17 February sent by Ms Zach on the subject of why the ambassador did not come before the sub-committee when invited on a previous occasion. These letters have been circulated for information. It is proposed that they be noted. Is that agreed? Agreed. The Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs requested information from the former Israeli ambassador to the UN and he was to come back to the committee with a reply. However, he has not done so and we will have to chase the matter up.

The Chairman received a letter dated 21 April 2010 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, agreeing to address the sub-committee on human rights with reference to the EU-Colombian free trade agreement. The Minister will be before us shortly so will give us his views on that issue.

What does that mean?

He is coming in to see us in five minutes.

I must have missed that item on the agenda. I thought Trócaire was to come in.

No. We are discussing the EU-Colombian trade agreement.

Can the Acting Chairman say how many apologies there have been in respect of today's meeting?

Apologies have been received from Deputies Frank Fahey and Alan Shatter and Senator David Norris.

I thought the agenda for the meeting involved Trócaire, as well as a discussion on Colombia.

The Minister is coming in to see us but Trócaire will not be in attendance.

We received representations about the matters to be discussed at today's meeting.

The agenda contains no mention of Trócaire. Did members receive a different agenda?

We did but we are happy to proceed.

The next item is an e-mail dated 11 February to the clerk to the committee from Senator David Norris. It concerns a letter from Mr. Anders Kompass of UNHCR suggesting that, at our next meeting, the sub-committee discuss the situation of the Roma who live in UN camps in Kosovo. It is proposed to agree to such a meeting in the near future. Is that agreed?

I would also like the treatment of Romanian people, who are also affected by the new legislation on begging, to be put on the agenda for a future meeting. We should discuss their relationship with the Garda Síochána and other human rights issues which arise.

Perhaps we should include that issue as part of the meeting.

I would appreciate that.

The next item is an e-mail of 23 March 2010 to the Chairman from Mr. Tom Carew. He has organised STOP 96 (Solidarity to Organise Peace) and is seeking a meeting with the Chairman to discuss the current political situation in the Middle East. It is proposed to agree to an informal meeting with the Chairman in the future. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Ms Louise Winstanley of ABColombia and Ms Hilary Daly of Trócaire have sent a letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, regarding the free trade agreement between the European Union and Colombia which we will discuss today.