Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I extend a warm welcome to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, who is accompanied by the Secretary General of his Department, Mr. Niall Burgess, the director general of Irish Aid, Mr. Michael Gaffey, and Mr. Barrie Robinson, political director. I also welcome the other officials in attendance.

With so much happening in the world, members have many issues to discuss with the Minister. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the recent meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I am sure the most recent meeting of the Council will form a central part of its meeting next week. The format will be that the Minister will make an opening statement, which will be followed by a question and answer session.

Before we commence, 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 in committee rooms.

I remind members that this meeting is being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV.

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 House or an official 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 committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a 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 are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.