Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to welcome representatives from Albania and Montenegro to this meeting. We are joined by H.E. Mr. Qirjako Qirko, ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Ireland and Mr. Mladen Dragasevic, deputy ambassador of Montenegro in the United Kingdom. When this committee decided to consider the European Commission's proposals, we felt it was very important to consult with the countries themselves. The committee invited the ambassadors from the six countries of the western Balkans. We will try to find dates that work so that we may engage with them all.

Our witnesses today are very welcome. We look forward to hearing their views on this process, the stage at which their countries are, and how they see the situation developing.

I will ask both of the witnesses to make their opening statements and then we will take questions from the members.

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. 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 ask Ambassador Qirko to begin.