Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a busy week. Also, a vote is scheduled in the House, which will interrupt but not interfere with the proceedings. It will give the ambassador a chance to have a cup of coffee.
I welcome Her Excellency, Diana Zagorianou-Prifti, the ambassador of Greece to Ireland, and thank her for meeting with the committee to discuss the programme and priorities of the Greek Presidency of the European Union, which Greece assumed this month from Lithuania. Of course, Lithuania assumed the Presidency last year from Ireland. The Presidency is aiming to build on some of the gains of the past year in further promoting economic growth, job creation and securing financial stability and a more co-ordinated economic governance. I understand the Greek Presidency is also expected to focus on enhancing civic and society engagement in the European Union through policies and initiatives in response to the daily problems, concerns and insecurities of Europe's citizens. We look forward to exploring those issues with the ambassador after she delivers her opening remarks.
Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either 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 are to give to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
The ambassador is a regular attendee at this committee. I invite her to make her opening remarks.