Vice Chairman:

I welcome H.E. Michael K. Mubea, the Kenyan ambassador to Ireland, who is with us in the Visitors Gallery. Today's meeting revolves around a meeting with representatives of Dóchas to discuss the global food crisis, an update on the famine in the Horn of Africa and looking ahead to COP27. We are joined by Ms Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO of Dóchas; Ms Réiseal Ní Chéilleachair, head of international advocacy with Concern Worldwide; and Mr. Colm Byrne, gender and humanitarian advocacy adviser with Trócaire. We are also joined virtually by Mr. Dominic Crowley, emergency director, Concern Worldwide, and Mr. Paul Healy, Trócaire country director for Somalia, both of whom are speaking to us from Nairobi. I thank all our witnesses for making themselves available. The format is the usual one. We will hear opening statements followed by questions and answers from members of the committee. I ask members to be concise in order to allow witnesses to give full and detailed answers.

I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. There are some limitations to parliamentary privilege for witnesses attending remotely and as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. I remind members that they are only allowed to participate in this meeting if they are physically located in the Leinster House complex. I invite Ms McKenna to make her opening statement.