Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, it gives me pleasure to welcome Dr. Mary Murphy, senior lecturer in the department of government and politics, University College Cork. I thank her for writing to the committee in February regarding her experience, expertise as senior lecturer in politics at UCC and, indeed, in the context of her own research where she has been a lead author on two research reports examining the role, function and practice of members of parliament in Myanmar between 2015 and 2020. As part of her work, she visited the parliament in Myanmar on a number of different occasions. I am very pleased that she has shared the research she had led on the parliamentary system and survey of the members of the members of parliament in Myanmar. She is now going to share her experience and expertise with us, and to inform us of matters. Indeed, we are all shocked to see on a daily basis the images of the sanctions, cruelty and suffering inflicted on civil society in Myanmar by a military regime, in a country that has succeeded in establishing, through difficult challenges, a parliamentary democracy, albeit a fragile democracy but one that has been progressing in a strict way over recent years. We look forward to hearing from Dr. Murphy. We also look forward to discussing the options for our committee to assist in highlighting the issues and exhorting the international community to respond to the instability in Myanmar.

The committee is being broadcast from the Dáil Chamber. I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that 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, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Any statements that may be potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity will result in a direction that the remarks be discontinued. We all will comply with such direction, as we always do in the committee.

For witnesses attending remotely from outside of the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses who may be physically present. Witnesses from outside the jurisdiction are advised that they need to be mindful of domestic law, from which they are joining us, and how it may apply to the evidence given and statements made.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that we 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 the person in any way identifiable. Members are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located within the confines of the Leinster House complex. For anyone watching online, some Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely. Due to the unprecedented circumstances and the large number of people attending the meeting remotely I seek forbearance should technical issues arise as they already have in terms of our initial engagement with Dr. Murphy.

Again, I welcome Dr. Murphy and invite her to make her opening statement, following which we will proceed to observations, questions, queries and brief statements. Members will be conscious we must stick to the time allocated to us this afternoon for our engagement.