Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to our first meeting. Apologies have been received from Mr. Mickey Brady, MP.

I extend a special welcome to Mr. Pat Doherty, MP, Mr. Mark Durkan, MP, Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, MP, and Mr. Francie Molloy, MP.

The agenda has been circulated to members. In the first session we will hear the views of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, on the implications of Brexit for the Good Friday Agreement. Following a short break, we will hear, in the second session, the views of Mr. Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, MLA, Minister of Finance at the Stormont Assembly, on the fiscal implications of Brexit. After that, we will enter private session to do some housekeeping in respect of, for example, issues relating to our work programme.

I remind members and witnesses to keep their mobile phones turned off and not just on silent, as they interfere with the recording equipment.

I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and thank him for attending. He will make an opening statement, after which I will open the floor to questions. For procedural reasons, I remind members and witnesses 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 Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to 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.

I extend a warm welcome to the Minister and ask him to make his opening statement on the implications on the Good Friday Agreement of the British referendum decision to leave the EU.