Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

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

The committee is delighted to meet with Christian Aid Ireland today. There are many important issues that it wishes to raise, and members will have many questions too. We are joined by Mr. Sorley McCaughey, head of policy and advocacy, and Ms Karol Balfe, adviser on governance, peace building and human rights. Members are aware of the valuable work Christian Aid does in tackling poverty in some of the world’s poorest countries and highlighting tax justice issues. It had a campaign several years ago with a roadshow highlighting tax justice. I understand Christian Aid will outline its specific concerns about Angola. Some time ago the committee met a delegation from Angola. Christian Aid also works in Sierra Leone. Two years ago the committee visited Sierra Leone to see at first hand the difficult work non-governmental organisations do there.

I invite Mr. McCaughey to make his presentation.