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

Our business today is a meeting with representatives of the Ireland Israel Alliance. I am very pleased to welcome in person Ms Jackie Goodall, executive director of the Ireland Israel Alliance and Ms Audrey Griffin and former Minister, Member of the House and this committee, Mr. Alan Shatter, who are members of the alliance. Joining us remotely from New York is Mr. Yoseph Haddad, who is an Israeli Arab citizen. On behalf of the committee I welcome everybody.

The format of the meeting is that we will hear the opening statements of the witnesses followed by a discussion and questions and answers with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members an opportunity to participate. I hope we will have a second opportunity for members to come back in should they so desire.

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 that person 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 their statements are potentially defamatory with regard to an identifiable person or entity they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that any such direction is complied with. 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 a witness physically present in our meeting room does.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make that person in any way identifiable.

I remind members that they are only allowed to participate remotely in this meeting if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex. With that, I am pleased to ask Ms Goodall to introduce her colleagues and to make her opening statement. I again thank all the witnesses for meeting us.