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

Today we meet with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, to discuss matters that have arisen at the Foreign Affairs Council and, equally as important if not more so, the priorities of the Minister and his Government for 2023.

I welcome the Tánaiste. I welcome his officials and thank them not for only the comprehensive briefing that we received but the material we receive from time to time, which is hugely important for us in the context of our work. We are grateful.

I welcome to the Public Gallery Palestinian ambassador, H.E. Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid. I also see a representative from the British Government in the Gallery and I welcome them.

The format for our meeting is the usual manner. We will hear the Tánaiste’s opening statement, followed by a question and answer session with committee members. I ask members, as always, to be concise in their questions to allow all members an opportunity to participate. Hopefully, we will have a second round.

I remind our witnesses and members 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 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.

Without further delay, I call on the Tánaiste to make his opening statement and wish him well.