The next item on our agenda concerns the appointment of a committee member to act as our European reporter, as is required by rule 12.2 of the standing orders. Does any member volunteer for the role?
Why is everyone looking at me?
I certainly do not want to volunteer for the role. Could you or one of the clerks tell us what the role of a European reporter to this committee might be?
We have had some discussion about that. We are required to have a European Union reporter, but there would probably be very little for the reporter to do with regard to social security and so on. However, the reporter might have viable input to offer on issues around disabilities rights, for example. I think that there is merit in our having a European Union reporter.
At European Union level, there might be arrangements in place for mutual recognition of the rights of citizens in all the EU countries with regard to social security issues; that cannot be ruled out. Although, at the moment, social security is a reserved matter, there has been limited movement of powers to Scotland in that general area, so we would, if there were an impact at EU level in that context, need an EU reporter.
I assume that the description of a European Union reporter would specifically exclude issues around the European convention on human rights.
I do not think that we would want to exclude anything. Technically, you are probably right, but that does not mean that if a discussion came up in that regard, a European reporter could not contribute.
We should not worry about it. As the convener said, we are required to have a reporter. Should we not just get on with it?
I am very happy to volunteer.
Thank you, Linda. Do members agree to Linda Fabiani’s appointment as our European Union reporter?
I hope that it is not too onerous a task.