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

We now move on to the formal part of the meeting. Given the pressure the Minister is under, we will conclude at 5 p.m. sharp, which gives us 50 minutes. The matter is the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in facilitating foreign aircraft in Irish airspace and availing of landing facilities in Ireland. May I remind all present to turn off their mobile phones as they interfere with the communications system?

We are pleased to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, who will make a presentation on the role of his Department in issuing diplomatic notes to allow foreign aircraft to 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 respect of public petition No. P00072/12 from Dr. Edward Horgan and others concerning the US military and CIA use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace.

The Minister is accompanied by Ms Sarah Kavanagh, special adviser, Mr. Barry Robinson, political director, Mr. John McCullagh, director of the international security policy section and Ms Caroline Phelan, deputy director of the international security policy section. I welcome all the witnesses and thank them for forwarding their briefing, which has been circulated to the members.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 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 they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect 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.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to make his presentation.