Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today, we meet Mr. Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. We are delighted to welcome the Commissioner to the committee to discuss matters of mutual interest. The European Union is the largest donor of humanitarian aid in the world. Its role in co-ordinating and building close working relationships with key partners in its humanitarian work, including UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and civil society, has never been more important. The format of the meeting is as follows. We will hear an opening statement from the Commissioner before moving to a question-and-answer session with the members of the committee on subjects pertaining to his portfolio.

I ask members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference even on silent mode with the recording equipment in the committee room. 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 or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. 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.

I call on the Commissioner, whose contribution I welcome, to make his opening statement. I note for his information that opening statements made to the committee are published on the committee's website after each meeting.