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

Those who are in a position to join us are welcome. Today's agenda includes an important meeting with representatives from Dóchas, Oxfam, Concern Worldwide and World Vision. The purpose of our engagement is to discuss the potential impact and importance of decisions and pledges made at COP26 on developing countries. I welcome our witnesses, Ms Louise Finan, head of policy, Dóchas; Mr. Yousaf Jogezai, country director, Concern Worldwide, Malawi; Mr. Maurice Sadlier, programmes and policy director, World Vision Ireland; Ms Nafkote Dabi, climate change policy lead, Oxfam International; Mr. Simon Murtagh, senior policy and research co-ordinator, Oxfam Ireland; and Ms Olive Towey, senior policy advisor, Concern Worldwide.

We are still under some Covid restrictions. Some members are present in the room, namely, Deputies Brady and Clarke. Others are joining us remotely. It is an important meeting. I have received apologies from Senator Joe O'Reilly, who is in the Seanad chairing at present, as well as Deputy Stanton.

We are at beginning of what is a hugely important UN Conference of the Parties, which is taking place currently in Glasgow, Scotland. I understand that some of our guests are joining us from COP26 in Glasgow. I thank them, on behalf of the members of the committee, for taking the time to join us today.

The format of the meeting is that we will hear the witnesses' opening statements, followed by a discussion with some questions and answers from members of the committee. I ask the witnesses to be concise in their opening remarks. I ask members to be concise in their questions so as to allow for an opportunity to engage and participate. There may be 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, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are in any way potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It goes without saying that any such direction should be complied with. For witnesses attending remotely from outside of the Leinster House campus, which I see to be the case, 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 are physically present in the precincts of the Houses. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of domestic law and how it might apply to evidence that they give.

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 Houses, 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.

With that, I welcome the witnesses. I invite Ms Finan to introduce our guests and make her opening remarks to the committee.