Thank you very much Mr. Chairman.
As I was saying I am willing to answer for the actions of my policy advisor, Ms. Jillian Andrews. As you are aware, Mr. Chairman, our government took a decision on the matter of political staff appearing before parliamentary committees. That decision therefore applies equally to Mr. Soudas and to Ms. Andrews. Our decision was conveyed to the Speaker of the House of Commons on the 25th of May last by the Government Leader in the House of Commons.
To summarize: given that parliamentary committees have not respected procedure, the ministers will here on in advise members of their staff to refrain from appearing before the committees; ministers will appear in their stead to answer for their actions.
I therefore ordered Ms. Andrews to not appear before the committee. I myself, as the minister responsible and according to the principle of ministerial accountability, I am here to appear in her place. This is a model that dates back to the Westminster model. It's nothing new.
I think it's sad that Mr. Togneri appeared before this committee for three hours and was subjected to intimidation and humiliation. One can only wonder why political staff would be motivated to appear before a committee in the future.
Mr. Chairman, I am here and willing to answer questions.