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

On my own behalf and that of the joint committee, I express deepest sympathy to the people of Russia, particularly of St. Petersburg, following the recent atrocity there. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved and those who were injured in the attack. It seems as though ever week some part of the world is affected by shameless acts of terrorism. As I have stated previously, it is up to all of us, through international co-operation, to condemn these actions and do everything possible to ensure every effort is made to minimise the occurrence of these acts. I propose that we write to Ambassador Peshkov to express our sympathy.

I also express our utter condemnation of the barbaric act in Syria on Tuesday which caused the death of more than 70 innocent men, women and children.

In the first part of the meeting we will hear from Dóchas. It is part of a series of meetings in the coming weeks on the potential impact of Brexit in areas identified as falling within the remit of the committee, at the end of which it will prepare a report on the relevant aspects. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Ms Suzanne Keatinge, CEO of Dóchas; Ms Raphaëlle Faure from the Overseas Development Institute; Ms Vikki Brennan, director of Proudly Made in Africa; and Mr. Sorley McCaughey, director of advocacy and policy with Christian Aid Ireland. We will hear their opening statements, following which there will be a question and answer session with members.

At the request of the broadcasting and recording services, members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration of the meeting their mobile phones are turned off completely or switched to airplane, safe or flight mode, depending on the device used. It is not sufficient to leave them in silent mode as this will still maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

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 or 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 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.