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

Apologies have been received from Senator Billy Lawless. During the first part of today's meeting, Ms Gráinne O'Hara of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, will address the committee regarding the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. I welcome Ms O'Hara. We are all shocked on a daily basis by the suffering of the people of Syria, particularly the people in Aleppo where the constant bombardment has affected so many lives and thousands of civilians have been killed or injured. The rest of the world has a duty to do everything in its power to ensure this ceases as soon as possible. As everyone in this country is aware, the only way for this to be achieved is through dialogue. While news coverage of the crisis in Syria has diminished somewhat in recent weeks, I am sure the humanitarian issues facing the people in the region, especially the plight of the refugees, are as great as ever. I am glad Ms O'Hara was in a position to clearly transmit that message on the national broadcast media this morning.

After we have heard Ms O'Hara's opening statement, we will invite her to participate in a question and answer session with the members of the committee. I remind members, witnesses and the people in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording and broadcasting equipment in this room, even in silent mode. Today's meeting is being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV and across various media platforms. 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 this committee. 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 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. They 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 ask Ms O'Hara to make her opening remarks.