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

In the first part of our meeting, we will meet representatives from Dóchas, to whom I extend a welcome. The committee agreed as part of its work programme for 2017 to review the work of Irish Aid, particularly the overseas development aid programme and the way it has been used to date to deliver added value in communities around the world. This is the second in a series of meetings with relevant stakeholders and the committee proposes to report on its findings to the Dáil and Seanad later this year.

The format of the meeting is that we will hear the delegation's opening statement before going into a questions and answers session with members of the committee. Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they can cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in the chamber.

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 the committee. If they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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 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 call Ms Keatinge, Mr. MacSorley, Mr. Meehan and Ms Foster-Breslin to make their opening statements.