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

As we have a quorum, we will now begin in public session. We have received apologies from Senator Richmond. I remind everyone to switch off their mobile phones.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McEntee, her officials and those in the public Gallery to this meeting. Today is European Day of Languages. It is important to celebrate the diversity of Europe's languages and cultures. In that context, it is nice to have people in the Public Gallery from many different places.

Today we will engage with the Minister of State on the work of the General Affairs Council, GAC, following last week's meeting in Brussels. I thank her for her attendance. I also thank her for her contributions yesterday evening to the debate in the Dáil on Brexit and related issues. We always find these engagements on her work in the Council and the big strategic issues facing European Union useful. I am sure there will be lots for the members and the Minister of State to discuss as we have not met since before the summer recess. I note that the Council had further discussions on issues of particular interest to this committee such as the rule of law in Poland, the next multi-annual financial framework, MFF, and, of course, Brexit. There has been a great deal of discussion on Brexit in the past week, in particular following the meeting of the GAC and the informal European Council summit in Salzburg. This is important and we must keep sight of these issues and stay at the top of our game.

As a Member of these Houses, the Minister of State is well aware of the rules on privilege so I will not read them to her. I invite her, without further delay, to make her opening statement to the committee, after which there will be questions and contributions from committee members.