Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to welcome Mr. Franz Rauchenstein, head of delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, in South Sudan, who is accompanied by Mr. Paul Castella, head of mission, ICRC, London, and Ms Gillian McCarthy of the Irish Red Cross. I extend a warm welcome to each of them. Their presentation will provide an opportunity for members to receive a first-hand account of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and the aid being provided. We are all pleased that the protracted peace talks finally culminated in the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement in August and hope it will lead to a way forward in resolving the issues which were the cause of such terrible tragedies in South Sudan.

The joint committee has taken a very keen interest in what has been happening in this region. When it visited Ethiopia three years ago, it visited a refugee camp on the border with South Sudan. We spoke to refugees who had fled their homes as a result of the conflict in South Sudan. At the time we were aware that there was the potential for enormous problems in South Sudan in terms of famine and hunger, but I hope some of them have been avoided. Perhaps the delegation might update us in that regard. When I was in Uganda last year, I met the Minister for Foreign Affairs who updated me on the situation there. We are looking forward to the presentation because sometimes issues such as the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan go off the radar and our television screens as others arise such as what is happening in the Middle East and the migrant crisis. We are aware that there are real problems in South Sudan.

After the delegates have made their presentation, I will invite members to ask questions about the work of the ICRC in South Sudan. We are delighted to have the delegates present. We have not had a meeting with the ICRC for some time and look forward to further meetings to discuss its work. It has an important role to play in areas of conflict and dealing with humanitarian issues.

I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to switch off their mobile phones for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the recording equipment, even when left in silent mode. I also remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, 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 directed by it 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 further directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I invite Mr. Rauchenstein to make his presentation to the committee.