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

We are now in public session. I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off or placed in silent mode as they cause problems. I am delighted that we are having an engagement on the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Her Excellency, Mrs. Manuela Breazu, Ambassador of Romania to Ireland, is with us. On behalf of the committee, I welcome her and thank her and her officials for being here and for giving of their time. I also welcome those in the Public Gallery.

I congratulate Romania on assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the beginning of this month. This is Romania's first time to host the Presidency since it joined the EU in 2007. It is an exciting time and we wish it every success with that.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone of the rules on privilege. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that 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 committee 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 ask the Ambassador to make her opening statement. The committee is really looking forward to the discussing matters with her. We know she is an excellent ambassador, very respectable and hard working, and we thank her for taking time out to be with us today.