Unfortunately that would have probably meant missing the ENVI committee meeting which I believe is today
One interesting thing I note from FlavourArt's response to Matt Gluggles is that this bit :-
"I assure you that the Coalition members thoroughly discussed the letter, its possible implications as well as alternative options both over the week-end and during a face-to-face meeting held on Monday afternoon, 20 December, in Brussels. Given all circumstances at stake, we decided to do what has been done. And we still believe this was the right way to go."
20th of fecking December! So they sat on it for about a month!