Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ambassador Kachoueian is very welcome to the committee. I also wish to welcome the deputy chef de mission, Mr. Hamid Arefipour, who is accompanying the ambassador.
I remind members, witnesses and all those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as, even on silent mode, they cause interference with the recording equipment.
In advance of hearing the ambassador's presentation, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that where possible they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such as way as to make him or her identifiable.
I welcome His Excellency, Mr. Javad Kachoueian, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Ireland. The ambassador has a distinguished career in his country's diplomatic service, both in Tehran and in various locations abroad. Members of the committee will be aware that Ambassador Kachoueian was only recently appointed to his current position in Dublin. While he has met with some members of the joint committee, this is his first appearance before the committee in formal session. Earlier this year, Ambassador Kachoueian paid a courtesy call to me and I was delighted to renew that relationship which existed with his predecessor. It is always good to have dialogue.
We are conscious of the various ongoing problems in the Middle East. For the past three years, there has been conflict in Syria, which unfortunately is showing no sign of being resolved. More recently, we have seen an escalation of fighting in Iraq, while the situation in Egypt continues to be a cause of concern. Perhaps more worryingly is the recent deterioration of the situation between Israel and Palestine. The tit-for-tat - apparently revenge - attacks continue to escalate daily. Almost hourly we hear of rocket attacks and air strikes, as the views of moderates on both sides appear to be ignored. Indeed, at lunchtime today, there were further reports of more people being killed in Gaza.
The Middle East crisis is obviously something that the committee has dealt with. We would certainly appeal for restraint because tit-for-tat attacks achieve nothing whatsoever. The Israelis have been very lucky that nobody was killed by the rockets going into Israel. Unfortunately, however, many people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli air attacks, which do not solve the problem that is there. This committee appeals for both sides to show restraint. We will be talking to the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors soon to see if the situation can be resolved peacefully.
We are well aware of the role and influence Iran has in the region. Members of the committee are eagerly anticipating Ambassador Kachoueian's views on what is happening in the Middle East, including the nuclear talks concerning Iran. In addition, Ambassador Kachoueian takes a keen interest in what is happening in Syria.
The format of today's meeting is that we will hear a presentation from the ambassador before proceeding to a question and answer session with members of the committee. I call Ambassador Kachoueian to address the committee.