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

Mr. Patrick Costello and his colleague Ms Lesley O'Connor from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, EAPPI, are here to discuss the decision by the US Administration to withdraw funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, for Palestinian refugees in the Near East and the decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to authorise the destruction of the village Khan al-Ahmar on the West Bank. The decision by the US authorities to cease funding to UNRWA poses a potential humanitarian crisis. The provision of basic education and health services, particularly in Gaza, is under threat because of this action. Not only will it cause misery for so many needy people, it also further threatens the already fragile security situation in the region. We have also heard today about the decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to allow the demotion of a Bedouin village, Khan al-Ahmar. The international community needs to stand up to its demolition and the forcible transfer of its inhabitants and make it known that it is not an acceptable action. I welcome Ms O'Connor and Mr. Costello. We look forward to hearing their opening statement.

I remind members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when left in silent mode, with the recording equipment in committee rooms.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any 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 the joint 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 only to 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 or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I call Mr. Costello to make the opening statement.