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

Our business today is a discussion with representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to hold this meeting. With regard to logistics, I am pleased to see some members in the committee room this afternoon, although they are wearing face masks. I trust that we can return to more normal engagement in the next week or so. Today, some members are operating from their offices and others are in the committee room. Our witnesses are attending remotely. Hopefully, at future meetings with delegations, our business can be conducted here in its entirety. With members' assent, I trust that we can drop a send to the Business Committee. I propose that we resume what we might describe as normal business at the earliest opportunity. I am sure we all agree that it is much better for us.

Our meeting is to discuss the role and work of those involved in MSF. They often work in the most challenging and difficult of circumstances in areas of conflict and war. With us are Ms Isabel Simpson, executive director of MSF Ireland, Ms Sarah Leahy, returned project co-ordinator of MSF Helmand province, Afghanistan, Ms Frauke Ossig, emergency co-ordinator, MSF Lithuania and Poland, and Mr. Dónal Gorman, communications manager of MSF Ireland. They are all most welcome. I thank them for agreeing to brief the committee on their important work in an ever-changing environment of challenge and conflict. I suggest that the format of the meeting will involve us hearing the witnesses' opening statements, following by a discussion and questions and answers from members. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity to participate. Hopefully, we will have a second round and an opportunity for members to come back in should they so desire, if time permits.

I have a note on privilege for our witnesses. 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 in any way identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and needless to say, they shall comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as witnesses who are physically present do.

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 outside the House or any official, either by name or in a way that makes that person identifiable. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex.

I ask Ms Simpson to make her opening statement and to introduce her colleagues. I thank the witnesses for being with us.