Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The next item is one of the main items on the agenda, a discussion with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Lucinda Creighton. We are delighted that she was able to attend. This is her second visit and it is appropriate that she is here during Europe Week as she has responsibility for European affairs.

Members are aware that this is Europe Week and the event is being celebrated by a number of debates in both Houses and in the committee, so it is appropriate the Minister is with us today to discuss the European neighbourhood policy and the enlargement of the European Union. The Minister of State is accompanied by members of the European division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Robin Henry and Ms Sarah Mangan.

Before commencing, I advise that witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at the committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. Witnesses are directed that only 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 ask the Minister to make her contribution before the committee this afternoon.