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

Before going to members of the committee for questions, observations or submissions, I remind our witnesses that it is in response to an invitation from this committee that they are present before us. I very much welcome their contributions to a debate that is a frequent agenda item on our committee. I reject any criticism of this committee. While criticism might be reserved for individual members of this committee, we are always keen to give every opportunity to groups such as the Ireland Israel Alliance to make their submission and attend our hearings.

Our witnesses will be aware of the fact that since the Amnesty report was published earlier this year, Amnesty had an opportunity to brief senior officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The issue was the subject of a Dáil debate. The report was the subject of an extensive Seanad debate, and Amnesty International sought an opportunity to present the findings of the report before this committee. I along with other members of this committee are very keen to ensure balance in the context of our deliberations. This is why following the submission of Amnesty International to our committee, the members and I, as Chairman, felt it only appropriate that the Ireland-Israel Alliance would have an opportunity to join us this afternoon in order to, in the words of Ms Goodall, refute aspects of the report or, perhaps, even the report in its entirety. It is unfortunate, therefore, that the committee should be the subject of criticism such as that which we have just heard. I am pleased to go to members for their questions.