Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of this meeting is to have a discussion with Her Excellency, Dr. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu, the new ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Ireland. Before we begin, I ask members, witnesses and persons in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment. This is particularly important today as the meeting is being streamed live.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, 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, her or it 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 committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they will be entitled thereafter only to 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 an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
We have the privilege of having the Nigerian ambassador to Ireland, Ambassador Ketebu in attendance to make a presentation to us. She is accompanied by Mr. Umar Ahmed Abba. They are both very welcome. This is the ambassador's first visit to the committee and we look forward to her dissertation. Ireland has long-established and strong links with Nigeria, and we hope to build on those at this meeting. We will concentrate specifically on the Ebola outbreak, trade between Ireland and Nigeria and an update on Boko Haram.The format for the meeting is that the ambassador will make an opening statement followed by questions from the members of the joint committee. The normal procedure is that we hear our guest's submission first, members then have an opportunity to raise questions and our guest then has an opportunity to reply. The ambassador has the floor.