Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 10 May 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Situation in Palestine: Discussion

10:00 am

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

In part B of today's meeting, we meet Mr. Omar Barghouti to discuss the current situation in Palestine and the growing non-violent civil society movement that opposes Israel's occupation. Mr. Barghouti is welcome.

Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference, even on silent mode, with the recording equipment in this room. 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 joint committee. However, if they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and 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 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 on Mr. Barghouti to make his opening statement.

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