Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The permanent representative from Ireland to the United Nations, Mr. David Donoghue, is familiar to the committee. We all know him well from his previous role with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is great to have him in attendance in his role as ambassador to the UN. I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Donoghue.

Today's meeting is timely. Ireland's permanent representative only flew in from New York this morning and is travelling on to Addis Ababa to the first of three meetings this year regarding sustainable development goals. The first meeting will relate to financing. The joint committee is aware of the role that the permanent representative has in co-facilitating the international negotiations of the global development framework in 2015 along with his colleague from Kenya. We congratulate Mr. Donoghue on his prestigious appointment by Mr. Ban Ki-moon. It is an important role in the preparation of the global development framework.

Under the format of today's meeting, we will receive an opening statement from Mr. Donoghue. As usual, we will then have a questions and answers session with members. Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and those in the public gallery to ensure that their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference with the recording equipment in the committee room even while on silent mode. 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 Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it 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 directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

We are delighted to have Mr. Donoghue here while he is en routeto Addis Ababa and an important conference that will define the future of the developing world. I invite him to make his opening statement.