Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very pleased to welcome this afternoon a man who was used to coming to this room as a politician, both as a backbencher and Minister of State, Mr. Barry Andrews. He is now here in a very different capacity, namely, as chief executive officer of GOAL. We have been very anxious to have Mr. Andrews present following his visit to Syria. He is joined by Mr. Alan Glasgow, head of business development in GOAL.

Members are well aware of the excellent history and work of GOAL in the alleviation of the suffering of the poor and the poorest. For nearly four decades, GOAL has been to the forefront of the response to major humanitarian disasters in over 50 countries. It is currently contributing to humanitarian relief in Syria, from where Mr. Andrews has just returned. He was within a short distance of the conflict. He will concentrate predominantly today on his visit to Syria because it is a very important subject. There seems to be political deadlock regarding Syria and there appears to be no solution forthcoming in the shorter term. It is important that Mr. Andrews focus on Syria because we have focused on it at many meetings. Even when we go overseas, we note that politicians are focusing on Syria all the time, without any short-term results.

I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. Witnesses are directed that only commentary or evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I invite Mr. Andrews to address the committee.