Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. David Donoghue, who is a former senior official at the Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Donoghue served in several senior leadership roles, including his final appointment as Ireland's permanent representative to the UN in New York. Also joining us today are representatives from Coalition 2030. We are expecting to be joined online by Ms Meaghan Carmody, who is the Coalition 2030 co-ordinator. We are joined in person by Ms Attracta Uí Bhroin, the Irish council member for the European Environmental Bureau, and Ms Bríd McGrath, director of public affairs with Oxfam. Today's meeting will discuss the United Nations sustainable development goals and in particular the EU progress on their implementation. The witnesses are all very welcome.

I have a bit of housekeeping to do. As any of the witnesses who have been here previously will know, it is a note on privilege. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind all members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House in order to participate in meetings. If members are participating remotely, I will ask them to give an undertaking that they are observing that requirement.

I invite Mr. Donoghue to make his opening remarks.