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

I welcome H.E. Mr. Lirim Greiçevci, the Republic of Kosovo ambassador in Ireland. The ambassador has gone to great lengths - taking a middle of the night flight - to be with us today. We very much appreciate this.

More than one month ago the European Commission published a draft strategy document that outlines a possible enlargement perspective for the western Balkans. This committee looked at the strategy and the various documents that were published at the same time. We agreed this was a very important issue that we would want to consider in more depth. As a small member state that has benefited greatly from our EU membership, Ireland is often interested in and supportive of other countries that would like to make the same journey.

At our last meeting we had a good engagement with the Commission official who is responsible for this area of work, and with representatives from Albania and Montenegro. We are delighted to have the ambassador with us today.

I remind members about the rules on privilege. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that a member 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 this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, 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.

Before I invite the ambassador to make this opening remarks, I would like to tell him a nice story that he might not be aware of. Many years ago, when there was trouble in Kosovo, a number of people from the country came to Ireland. They were flown into Kerry airport, which is in the county I represent. My father was an Oireachtas Member for the county at the time and he asked me to drive him to the airport. I drove him there late at night but when we got there, the Kosovans had not left the plane. My father insisted to the security people that he be allowed on to the tarmac where the plane was parked. The steps were put down and my father insisted on being at the bottom to shake hands with every person who came off the plane. One would have to know my father. Members know what he was like, God be good to him. When he shook hands with a man, it was not enough to shake hands. He would hit him on the back and welcome him. He was gregarious about his welcome. I was standing alongside him and we met young children as well. I will speed dial on to a couple of months ago. I met a tall, young gentleman in his mid-20s and he reminded of that night. He was the son of people who had gotten off the plane. He said that when they were coming down the steps, having landed in a strange country and not knowing where Kerry was, they were so happy that this man was at the bottom of the steps. He said my father nearly broke his father's back telling him how welcome he was in County Kerry. The young boy went on to be educated there. Many of the Kosovans returned home but that young boy and his parents stayed. He is a valuable member of our community now. He enjoyed his upbringing in the county and he is working now. However, he reminded me of that story recently and I thought it would nice to let the ambassador know what we thought of the people who came from Kosovo at that time.

I welcome him to the meeting. We appreciate him taking the time to be with us. I invite him to make his opening statement.