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

I am pleased to welcome to our meeting this afternoon H. E. Mr. Mehmet Hakan Olcay, ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Ireland. He is very welcome. This is the first opportunity for the members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to meet him since his arrival in Ireland earlier in the year. I welcome you on behalf of the committee. We look forward to working with him not only today but also throughout his tenure here as ambassador to Ireland. I also welcome his deputy head of mission, Ms Balca Kurhan Elayouti. Some members of the committee are wearing face coverings in accordance with our restrictions. Some members are in here in the room and others are joining us from their offices because of the Covid-19 restrictions. The witnesses will appreciate that our meetings are not yet back to what we would describe as normality. In any event, they are most welcome.

The format of the meeting is that we will hear the ambassador's opening statement, following by discussion, with some questions and answers from members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions so as to allow all members an opportunity to participate. We may even have a second opportunity for members to come back in if they so desire.

I remind our 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 them identifiable. I remind witnesses that if they make any statements that might be potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It goes without saying that any such direction should be complied with. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or body outside the House, or any official, either by name or in such a way as to make them in any way identifiable. Members may only participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex.

Ambassador, once again you are very welcome. I now call upon you to make your opening statement.