John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have discussed and agreed the minutes of our meeting of 6 March 2024.

Today's public meeting consists of two sessions. The first is a discussion with officials from the Department of Finance and representatives of the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, to begin our detailed scrutiny of the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023 before it proceeds to Committee Stage in the Dáil. From the NTMA, I welcome Mr. Nick Ashmore, director of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF; and Ms Deborah Meghen, investment director for sustainability and responsible investment. From the Department of Finance, we are joined by Mr. Oliver Gilvarry, assistant secretary; Mr. Pat Leahy, principal officer; and Mr. Oisín Fitzgerald, administrative officer. The witnesses are all very welcome and I thank them for coming.

I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Oireachtas or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members who are participating in the meeting on campus have full privilege but if they are joining from an off-campus location, they may not have full privilege.

I invite Mr. Gilvarry to make his opening statement.