Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today we discuss the implementation of Ireland's national action plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. On behalf of all the members of the joint committee, I welcome Ms Liz McManus, chairperson of the 1325 Monitoring and Evaluation Group and the other members of the delegation, Mr. Brian Glynn, Director of the conflict resolution unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Melanie Hoewer, a member of the 1325 Monitoring and Evaluation Group from UCD and Ms Carol Ballantine also a member of the 1325 Monitoring and Evaluation Group.

Ms Liz McManus served in this House and I had the privilege of serving with her for many years. We were all very disappointed when she decided to retire from politics. It is good to see there is another life outside of politics for all of us. Ms McManus is doing very good work for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in her current role. The 1325 Monitoring and Evaluation Group was established to track the implementation of Ireland's National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security. The national action was launched by the Tánaiste and the former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson in November 2011. It sets out the way that Ireland will promote and implement the objectives of the UN Security Resolution 1325 in its programme support activities, diplomatic advocacy and policy making across the interrelated areas of peace, security and development. In May, the midterm review of the plan was completed by independent consultants who identified the progress that has been made to date and the challenges that still need to be met within the remaining 18 months of the plan. This is an important and timely meeting as there is 18 months remaining before the next plan. We are very pleased that Ms McManus will make a presentation.

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. I invite Ms McManus to make her presentation.