Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will now proceed to deal with the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in issuing diplomatic notes which allow foreign aircraft to enter Irish airspace and avail of landing facilities. I remind all present, including members, media and people in the Visitors Gallery that mobile telephones and blackberries must be turned off completely or switched to flight or safe mode as they interfere with the sound system even when on silent.
We are pleased to welcome Mr. Niall Burgess, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who will make a presentation on the role of his Department in the issuing of diplomatic notes to allow foreign aircraft enter Irish airspace and avail of landing facilities. The invitation to address the committee arose as a result of ongoing investigations by the committee in relation to petition No. 72/12, regarding the US military and CIA use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace. Dr. Edward Horgan is the lead petitioner. Mr. Burgess is accompanied by Mr. Barry Robinson, political director; Mr. John McCullagh, political division; and Ms. Caroline Phelan, political division. I welcome them all and thank them for coming.
Before we proceed, I offer condolences on my behalf and on behalf of the other members of the committee to Mr. Burgess on the recent passing of his father. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. I thank him for agreeing to proceed with the meeting at this time. Our members are keen to hear his views on the issue of diplomatic notes and the role played by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to so do, 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 nor make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.
I now invite Mr. Burgess to make his presentation.