Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask those in the Public Gallery, witnesses and members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. It is not sufficient to put them on silent mode as they can interfere with the broadcasting equipment even when left in silent mode.

Today the committee will be briefed on, and will discuss, the current crisis in the Mediterranean Sea. We will also discuss European migration policy with our three witnesses. Our first witness is the Italian ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Mr. Giovanni Adorni Braccesi Chiassi. We are also joined by Mr. Peter Sutherland, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Migration and International Development, and by Mr. Brian Killoran, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland. We are delighted to have the three of them here to talk to us about this very important issue.

On behalf of the committee, I express condolences on the terrible deaths and tragedies we saw in recent weeks in the Mediterranean Sea. Most European citizens do not understand how this could happen and wonder what is being done at both European and national levels to stop this human tragedy.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person 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. However, if they are requested to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that evidence connected only with today's proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against an official or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

We have spoken to our witnesses and have agreed that the first item today will be a discussion with the Italian ambassador, H.E. Mr. Giovanni Adorni Braccesi Chiassi.