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

At today's meeting we will meet with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, to discuss matters that have arisen at the Foreign Affairs Council and other matters relevant to foreign affairs and trade.

I welcome the Minister and officials and thank them for the briefing they have provided for this meeting.

The format is that we will hear the Minister'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 Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference even in silent mode with the recording equipment in the committee room. I also 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 committee. However, if they are directed by the Chairman 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 call on the Tánaiste to make his opening statement.