Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The second part of our meeting is a discussion with the ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Redwan Hussein Rameto, and the ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Richard Opembe. The purpose of the meeting is to elicit a view of the Irish Aid programme from partner countries which have directly benefitted from the Irish Aid programme and our development programme. The witnesses are very welcome. The format will be that the ambassadors will make opening statements, after which we will have a question and answer session with members.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment, even when on silent mode.This part of the meeting is being broadcast across the various Oireachtas public broadcasting platforms.

Members are reminded of the longstanding 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 identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence at the committee. If they are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter to only 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, persons or entity by name or in such a way to make him, her or it identifiable.