Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, witnesses, in particular those in the Visitors Gallery, to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference even in silent mode with the recording equipment in the committee rooms.

I welcome the Secretary General, Mr. David Cooney, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who is present to discuss two reports relating to European Union matters as provided for by the European Union (Scrutiny) Act 2002. These reports contain a historical review of the main legislative actions and developments for 2012 and also contain a forward-looking element giving an overview of the next six months of the EU Presidency. The Secretary General is accompanied by Mr. David Donoghue, political director, Ms Anne Barrington, director general, Europe division, Mr. Pat Kelly, director, Middle East unit and North Africa unit and Mr. John O’Grady, development co-operation division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This is not the first time the Secretary General, Mr. Cooney, has come before us to discuss matters with the committee but it is the first time he has come to discuss the reports. The discussion with the Secretary General is an important part of the committee’s scrutiny of EU matters, which come within the remit of the committee. Among the many areas covered by the remit are such policy areas as the European neighbourhood policy which fosters EU relations with its nearest geographical neighbours both east and south and EU relations with the wider world, which include areas of particular concern to the committee such as developments in Syria, the Middle East and Africa. It also includes the current proposals for the financing of the EU external action programme and the European development fund which were considered in detail by the committee at a meeting of Department officials in 2012. The witnesses are all very welcome this afternoon.

The Secretary General’s statement was circulated to committee members earlier today and I am sure some of them have downloaded it. Much ground is covered in it so I do not think he should read it. Instead, I suggest Mr. Cooney would make a few brief introductory remarks and then we will take questions from members. I will advise him on privilege.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.