Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think there should be some flexibility. I have to say, with respect, there's a little gamesmanship going on today. For example, I don't like the last five words that were used. The last five words could be used if someone wanted to play games and say the committee has agreed this is of immediate concern and primary importance and let's get at it, even though the first phrase is gone. We're relying on you, Mr. Chair, to prevent that kind of thing from happening.
In good faith, I would accept those words if they weren't going to be used to try to hijack the committee on a particular day by saying that we've already agreed on this. I'm really glad that I had my motion on the table first and the chair is interpreting it as the priority of this committee. I think we're getting the impression, at least from Mr. Wilfert, that there should be some flexibility.
I don't have a problem if someone wants to give a briefing at some point. It may take us some time to finish the Afghanistan detainee issue, unless something breaks very quickly. We could be studying the Afghanistan detainee issue for quite some time. I don't think it means we should be precluded from hearing on this issue once or twice to get up to speed or in connection with some other activity of the committee. I don't think it needs to be so hard and fast that we can't talk about this unless we finish the Afghanistan detainee issue.
I think we've clearly indicated there's a priority on this. If those last five words are not going to be used to try to hijack the agenda of the committee, then I don't see a problem with being flexible. I hope I can get an undertaking from the government members on this