Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Peter Burke. It is his first appearance before the committee since taking on his new role. I wish him every success in that role and into the future. Today we discuss matters arising from the General Affairs Council. All witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that one should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of any person or entity. Therefore, if a statement is potentially defamatory in relation to any identifiable person or entity the witness will be directed to discontinue his or her remarks and must comply with that direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside of the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order top participate in public meetings.

I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I would ask any member participating via Microsoft Teams that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I remind members that masks should continue to be worn throughout the meeting by all present and should only be removed when speaking. I have a feeling that might have been left in from a previous cut and paste, but I thought it was worth throwing in anyway.

Having finished with all the housekeeping - and it has got way longer since the last time I did it - I call on the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Peter Burke, to make his opening statement to us.