Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I ask all those present to turn off their mobile phones because they can interfere with broadcasting equipment.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss Luxembourg's Presidency priorities. I welcome H.E. Mr. Patrick Engelberg, ambassador of Luxembourg to Ireland. Luxembourg's Presidency priorities are wide-ranging and ambitious. The Presidency seeks to deepen the concept of a social Europe and revitalise the Single Market with a focus on digital technology. Issues of great significance to Ireland are the Presidency's priorities for completing EMU and in the area of taxation. The Presidency, of course, has many other priorities. We look forward to exploring these in more detail with the ambassador.

Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or any official by name 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 the evidence they give before the 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. 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 persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite the ambassador to make his opening remarks.