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

I extend a warm welcome to Mrs. Olena Shaloput, chargé d'affaires, and her colleague, Mrs. Iryna Sokoloska, third secretary, Embassy of Ukraine to the meeting, which gives members an opportunity to hear of the current situation in the Ukraine. The format of the meeting is that we will hear Mrs. Shaloput's opening statement before going into a question and answer session with members.

Before we begin I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they can cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment in this committee room.

The meeting is also being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV.

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 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 joint committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I now call on Mrs. Shaloput to make her presentation.