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

I apologise to members and witnesses. We had a vote in a plenary session of the Dáil which resulted in our meeting starting somewhat later than scheduled.

I note that due to the easing of Covid restrictions, we have something of a hybrid meeting, with some members in the room. I see Deputies Stanton and Gannon and Senator Wilson online. Most importantly, I welcome, in person, Ms Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO of Dóchas; Eamonn Casey, policy officer of Misean Cara; Ms Lorenza Quadrini, programmes lead, EU unit, Plan International Ireland; and Ms Brid Kennedy, regional programmes director, Concern Worldwide. They are all welcome. Joining us remotely, I welcome Fr. Frank Bird, director of Marist Asia Foundation, supported by Misean Cara, who joins us from New Zealand at an ungodly hour of the morning. I offer a similar warm welcome to Mr. Laban Onisimus, education lead, acting head of social development programmes, Plan International, who joins us from Nigeria. I welcome Mr. Ahmed Ali Dirshe of Concern Worldwide, who joins us from Somalia. I thank everybody for assembling with us this afternoon in Ireland and our witnesses from around the world for joining us at most different times of the day and night. I welcome members who are present and members who are attending remotely from their offices.

The format of the meeting will include opening statements followed by a discussion with questions and answers with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity to participate. Hopefully, we will have a second round for members to come back if they so wish.

Education in the developing world is an important topic. It is one of the issues that our members chose as something of a specialist topic for 2022, so we are grateful that the witnesses have joined us so early in the year. We hope that, during the course of our year, this is an area that we would revert to, because it is an issue that we feel is of great importance as far as Irish policy, strategy and interests are concerned. I thank the witnesses for being with us.

I remind our witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that we should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make them in any way identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if any statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person, speakers will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that such a direction be complied with.

There are some limitations to parliamentary privilege for witnesses attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. I do not expect this will arise in the context of our discussions this afternoon.

I remind members present in the committee room, and those attending remotely from their offices, 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 an official, either by name or in such a way as to make that person identifiable. I remind members they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located within the Leinster House complex, which, from their backdrops, I can see they are.

I am very pleased to call Ms McKenna from Dóchas to introduce the speakers and to make her opening statement. I congratulate her on her appointment as chief executive officer of Dóchas. I look forward to working closely with her and her members over the coming years. I again thank all the representatives for joining our meeting.