Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Nader Hashemi from the University of Denver. We are all appalled at the ongoing situation in Syria and the rise of Islamic State, which is causing great concern throughout the world and to this committee. We are aware of the worst-affected areas, the atrocities, the killings and inhuman acts being carried out at the moment. The people most affected by this are the citizens of Syria as well as the humanitarian workers and reporters who have been caught up in it, and it affects other countries in the region such as Iraq. The United Nations and the European Union have been focusing on this but there seems to be no sign of improvement, in fact it is getting worse.
The format of today’s meeting is that we will hear an opening statement from Dr. Hashemi before a question and answer session with the committee members. Dr. Hashemi’s statement has been sent to all members. It is quite a long statement. In order to get the best value from the meeting Dr. Hashemi might abbreviate his presentation to ten minutes and members will ask questions.
I remind members, witnesses and those in the public Gallery to make sure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting because even in silent mode they interfere with the recording equipment. Today’s meeting will be broadcast live on television.
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 committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.