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

I have received apologies from Senator Ó Donnghaile and I offer apologies from Dáil Members on the committee for the late start, which is due to a vote in the plenary Chamber. I welcome the team from the Ukraine Embassy to Ireland. H.E. Ms Larysa Gerasko, ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland, is welcome. We thank her for taking time to meet our committee at this time of heightened tension and challenge. I welcome members of the committee and point out to members and guests that some members are joining us remotely from their offices due to the ongoing Covid restrictions.

The ambassador joins us at a time of heightened tension in eastern Europe. This meeting provides us and the Irish people with an opportunity to hear directly from the representative team and the ambassador of Ukraine in Ireland. We look forward to receiving an update from the ambassador on the current situation regarding the build-up of troops on the Russian border with Ukraine, the situation in Kyiv and beyond and in Crimea and Donbas. We also welcome Ms Olena Shaloput, who is no stranger to our work and our committee, and Mr. Dmytro Shchedrin, first secretary at the embassy.

The format of the meeting is that we will hear the ambassador's opening statement, followed by a discussion with questions and answers by members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity to participate. We may have a second round, should members so desire.

I remind 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 that person or entity identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks and it is imperative than any such direction be complied with.

For witnesses attending remotely outside the Leinster House complex, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they might not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as does a witness physically present in the room.

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 an official, either by name or in a way that makes that person identifiable. I remind members that they may only participate in the meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex.

I call upon the ambassador to make her opening statement.