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

Apologies have been received from Deputy Noel Grealish and Senator Billy Lawless. In the first part of today's meeting, we will hear from Professor Patrick P. Walsh, professor of international development studies at University College Dublin. I extend to him a warm welcome to today's meeting. The joint 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 in which this has been used to date to deliver added value in communities around the world. Meeting Professor Walsh affords the committee an opportunity to hear from an expert in international development and to discuss the Ireland's performance around international development through Irish Aid. The committee proposes to report on its findings to both Dáil and Seanad Éireann.

The format of the meeting will consist of hearing Professor Walsh's opening statement before going into a question and answer session with the members of the committee. Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment in the chamber, even when on silent mode.

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 outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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.

I now call Professor Walsh to make his opening statement.