Due to the re-alignment of departments and ministries, the 4th Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, decided to, hold joint meetings to consider Budget Vote 25: Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Whilst the departments are in the process of being re-aligned, Budget Vote 25, for this financial year, is to be approved and debated by Parliament as a single vote. Parliament, constituted its portfolio committees as per Cabinet's re-alignment. This thus, entailed the establishment of two portfolio committees - one on water and environmental affairs and the other on tourism. On 9 June 2009, a joint meeting of the Portfolio Committees on Water and Environmental Affairs and Tourism was called to deliberate on the following: