Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. The purpose of the meeting is to meet representatives of Crosscare Migrant Project. Members will be aware that Crosscare is a non-governmental organisation which receives funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide information and advocacy service to intending Irish emigrants and returning Irish emigrants. That is an important service for people going out and returning home also.
The committee is well aware both of the positive contribution that Irish emigrants have made to events worldwide but also of the problems that some of our emigrants have experienced. We have heard of those problems recently in certain countries. Earlier this year we specifically referred to the role of the diaspora in our contribution to the Department's review on foreign policy and external relations. We had a very good session in the Dáil for which most members turned up. Part of the report stated that the joint committee approves the programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in support of organisations working on behalf of emigrants, including those who help people whose experience of emigration has not been as successful as others. These programmes should continue. It considers, nevertheless, that further means might be explored by the Department and the Government to ensure that the diaspora feels itself engaged not simply as a resource to be exploited, but as a cherished part of the Irish community overall.
Today we will meet Crosscare Migrant Project. In the previous correspondence from Crosscare, we note its proposal for an Irish emigrant register. It will form the centrepiece of today's presentation.
Before I invite Crosscare to make its presentation I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference even on silent mode with the recording equipment.
I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment, criticise or make charges against any person or body outside the House 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 committee. If witnesses 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 a 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 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 entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.
I welcome Mr. Joe O'Brien from Crosscare Migrant Project who is accompanied by his colleagues, Ms Sarah Owen and Mr. Richard King. The format of the meeting is that we invite a presentation from the witnesses and proceed to a question and answer session. I invite Mr. O'Brien to make his presentation.