James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses. I thank them for joining us. I will come to them all individually in a moment. The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the directive on international protection, asylum and migration, sometimes called the EU asylum and migration pact, from the European Parliament. This is part two of our deliberation. We met with the Minister last week, when we had some questions and answers on the directive. We are again considering it today.

I welcome our guests individually and collectively. Ms Fiona Hurley, CEO of Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre, is very welcome. I am informed that "nasc" is the Irish for "link" so that organisation is aptly named. She is joined by Mr. Kostas Kapantais, advocacy service manager at Nasc; it is good to have him with us. They are joined by Mr. Nick Henderson, CEO, and Mr. Alan O'Leary, both from the Irish Refugee Council; Ms Edel McGinley, director, and Mr. Neil Bruton, campaign manager, from Migrant Rights Centre Ireland; Mr. Enda O'Neill and Ms Maria Hennessy, assistant protection officer, from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and last but by no means least, Mr. David Leonard, barrister-at-law. They are our witnesses. As is normal procedure, we have observers from the Department of Justice. I welcome Ms Maeve-Anne Kenny, principal officer. While the Department will serve as an observer and will not make statements as such, some questions may be directed to her in due course if matters arise she is able to advise us on. We may ask for her opinion as things arise.

I will inform the witnesses of parliamentary privilege and the usual protocols. I remind all that the long-standing parliamentary practice is they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity in any way that might be regarded as damaging to his or her good name or is potentially defamatory. If their statements stray over that line, I may direct them to discontinue their remarks. Please comply with that direction if given. We do not have any witnesses attending remotely so further warnings in that regard do not apply.

The way we will conduct our business is to have each organisation make a brief opening statement. Such statements are usually limited to three minutes. We will then go to members in a round-robin fashion and allow them to put questions and make submissions. We will allow three minutes per organisation for opening statements. There is a little latitude but if the representatives do not feel they have said all they have to say at that point, which they probably will not, never fear. They will have three hours to come back in and out as the meeting goes on. It is generally best to get the ball rolling. We can then delve into different matters that arise.

I call Ms Hurley from Nasc. As I said, she has three minutes to make her opening statement.