Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the joint committee, I sincerely welcome the British ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Robin Barnett, and his team to the meeting today. Ambassador Barnett has served as British ambassador to Ireland since September 2016, and I have already had the pleasure of meeting him just over a month ago when we discussed many aspects of our bilateral relationship, both inside and outside the EU.

All members are acutely aware that we live in very historic and challenging times. Last Wednesday was no exception as the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May, formally started the Brexit process. This process now presents many challenges for all of us as the UK and EU enter a new phase in their relationship. As members are all aware, Ireland and the United Kingdom have a strong, mutual and unique relationship. Engagement between both countries will continue to be as important as it has been in the past. As such, I am delighted to further it today. I look forward to a detailed, positive and constructive discussion following the ambassador's opening statement.

Members are reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice to the effect that members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any 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. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter but 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 way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Before the ambassador begins, I would like to tell him something about our members that he will find very interesting. I am very proud of the political track record of the members of this committee. It might be of interest to the ambassador to note that the committee's political experience amounts to 218 years. We are not exactly a very big committee but we have 218 years of political experience. I am not going to name anyone in particular but there are two members on my right who between them have 84 years of political experience. One has 41 years under his belt and the other has 43. I thought the ambassador might be interested in that useless piece of information.

I thank the ambassador and his officials again for coming here today. I invite him to address the committee.