The actual composition and agenda of the committees was decided last week during meetings held late Thursday afternoon and continuing on Friday morning.

Dr Attard Montalto will take part in the committee for industry for which he has been appointed vice chairman following a recommendation by the Party of European Socialists (PES). He will actually take the post during the second half of this legislature. The new Finish Commissioner Olli Rehn will take part in the first meeting of this committee and will answer questions by the members.

Mr Grech will be attending the budgets committee while Mr Muscat will be attending that for the economy, monetary affairs and consumer protection. All of the three socialist MEPs will be substitute members in the committees for regions, transport and tourism as well as the the internal market and consumer affairs committee.

Mr Grech will be serving as vice chairman of the EP delegation for the Korean peninsula while Mr Muscat will be the vice chairman for the EP delegation for Belarus.