Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I remind those who have just arrived to switch off their mobile telephones. It is not sufficient to place them in silent mode because they will continue to interfere with the recording equipment. Apologies have been received from Deputy Seán Crowe and Senator Terry Leyden.

On behalf of the committee I welcome His Excellency, Mr. Mait Martinson, ambassador of Estonia to Ireland, and His Excellency, Mr. Gints Apals, ambassador of Latvia to Ireland. Latvia and Estonia joined the European Union in 2004, almost ten years ago. This meeting will allow members to explore the impact European Union membership has had on both Baltic countries. Our countries have experienced similar problems in recent years and all three are geographically peripheral in the context of the EU. Our countries enjoyed economic booms before being hit very hard by economic recessions. This meeting will give us an opportunity to discuss with the ambassadors the approaches currently being taken in their countries in respect of the EU project and further EU integration and also the attitude of Latvian and Estonian citizens to the EU.

Before we begin, I am obliged to remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official 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 the evidence they give to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continue to do so, they will be 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 and are asked to respect the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite ambassador Martinson to make his presentation.