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

I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switch off. This is important as they cause interference for our broadcasting, editorial and sound staff.

Today I am delighted we will have engagement on alliance building to strengthen the European Union with Ms Aingeal O'Donoghue, director general of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr. Joe Hackett, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU. I welcome Ambassador Hackett and Ms O'Donoghue here today to discuss alliance building to strengthen the European Union.

The joint committee remains convinced of the importance of ensuring that Ireland plays its full role within the EU at all levels, that we continue to develop our understanding of situations and priorities of other member states and build strong coalitions. We will have a visiting delegation from the Portuguese Parliament later today. Today's engagement is an important part of our consideration of alliances by looking at the Government's overall strategy and approach and what that looks like on the ground in Brussels.

I want to 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 or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her or identifiable.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are about to give to the committee. If they are directed to cease giving evidence on a particular subject and they continue to do so, they are only entitled thereafter to qualified privilege in respect of the evidence they give. They are directed that only evidence concerned 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 an entity or a person either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I will first ask the Director General, Ms O'Donoghue, to make her opening statement. She will be followed by the ambassador, Mr. Hackett. I am sure the committee members and I will have questions and comments for both of them and I again welcome them and their delegation. I also welcome everyone in the Gallery.