European and External Relations Committee, 14 Mar 2006

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Official Report 253KB pdf

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Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

The paper on pre and post-council scrutiny is quite short this week. Annex A of paper EU/S2/06/4/7 has only four items; we also have general papers. Are members content to agree to the recommendations in annex A? Do members have comments on the information that the Executive has provided?

Convener, I am sorry, but I must go. Is there a wee pack for the Brussels visit?

You cannot go without your wee pack.

Before Gordon Jackson interrupted, Phil Gallie was about to comment.

The information on the transport, telecommunications and energy council mentions discussions on the single European sky air traffic management research, which is massively important to Scotland. It could have a considerable effect on Scotland and particularly on Ayrshire, given that we control from there skyways across the Atlantic and flights across the United Kingdom. We must keep an eye on that.

The EU and the USA are continuing negotiations that I presume are on fifth-freedom rights, which could also have a major impact on Scottish airports. We should ask ministers to keep us informed of what happens at that council meeting.

On the agriculture and fisheries council, I congratulate the Minister for Environment and Rural Development on producing an early paper. Given that his department has not received an agenda, perhaps the blame for previous late delivery of agriculture and fisheries council information lies with the council.

That is very gracious of you.

No problem.

Members have no other comments.