Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 3 September 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors

2:30 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was anxious to hold a meeting during the recess to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and the peace proposals and the situation in the Middle East. It dominated our television screens during the summer. The joint committee has taken a keen interest in what is happening in Gaza and the Middle East, and between Israel and Palestine. That is the subject matter of today’s public session.

Before I hand over to the ambassador of Palestine, I will outline the format of today's meeting. The ambassador will be present for one and a half hours and the ambassador of Israel will be here for one and a half hours. Our time is limited because both speakers have asked for at least 15 minutes for their introductions, which leaves us an hour and ten minutes for discussion with each ambassador. I would like the co-operation of all members here today in my running of the meeting in order to have a smooth process and to ensure that the meeting runs on time.

I remind members that the purpose of the meeting is to listen to the presentations by the ambassadors and ask them questions, and I will insist on questions and not Second Stage speeches because of our limited time. If members have questions I will allow some over-and-back questioning, which will make the meeting much more effective, and I am sure the ambassadors will have no problem with that. We need to increase our level of understanding of the situation in the region. Members should not attempt to avail of the opportunity to vilify any of the witnesses appearing before us today or seek to make lengthy speeches akin to statements in either House. They can make those speeches in the Houses. In the event that members have particularly strong opinions on the subject, and I am sure most do, we will listen to them. It is good to see members and non-members here today. If anybody has strong opinions we can consider a motion for next week's meeting to be submitted after today's meeting.

I appeal for co-operation from all those present.

Before I hand over to H.E. Mr. Ahmad Abdelrazek, I remind members, those in the gallery and witnesses to ensure that their mobile phones 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. This is particularly important today because proceedings are being covered live on television.

In addition, in advance of hearing the ambassador's presentation, I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body 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 their evidence to the joint committee. If they are directed by the Chairman 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. 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 that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome H.E. Mr. Ahmad Abdelrazek. Since his appointment he has made a point of connecting with the parliamentary process, and is a regular visitor to the Houses to meet Members. That is very important for any ambassador, and for that I thank him.

The events in Gaza over the past few months have been widely covered on our television screens, in newspapers and on social media. Last week, following a number of truces, it was announced that a long-term ceasefire had been agreed. It is a step in the right direction for peace-loving people and is to be welcomed. We all hope the ceasefire will hold and a lasting solution can be achieved. We know there are huge challenges. If things were easy this conflict would have been settled many years ago.

We will hear a presentation from H.E. Mr. Ahmad Abdelrazek before proceeding to a question-and-answer session with members of the joint committee. Following this, the committee will suspend for a short period before resuming with a presentation from H.E. Mr. Boaz Modai, which will take a similar format. I ask H.E. Mr. Ahmad Abdelrazek to make his presentation. I welcome his assistants, Mr. Yussef Dorkhom and Ms Jilan Abdulmajid.

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