John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Apologies have been received from Deputy Bennett. Deputy Ní Raghallaigh will be substituting for her.

I advise members of the constitutional requirements that members must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members partaking via MS Teams to ensure that prior to their contribution to the meeting they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. Members and witnesses are reminded 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 him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. As witnesses will probably be aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following this meeting.

The way in which we operate in this committee with the timing is we have list. Witnesses will speak first. Members will then have seven minutes each, including questions and answers, which provides us with the opportunity for a second round. With the agreement of the committee, I will allow non-members in after the first round for three minutes and then we will go for a second round. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I warmly welcome officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025. We are joined by Mr. Gerard Keown, assistant secretary and political director, and Mr. Declan Smyth, assistant secretary and legal adviser. We will hear Mr. Keown's opening statement, followed by a question-and-answer session with the members. I ask members to be concise to allow all members the opportunity to participate. We look forward to hearing from the witnesses on this important legislation.

I remind our audience that pre-legislative scrutiny is an important parliamentary procedure that provides for the scrutiny of Government legislation and legislative proposals before the complicated drafting process is completed. It allows the Oireachtas, through its committees, to scrutinise draft legislation, to hold the Government to account and to make recommendations for improvements at an early stage in the drafting process. I invite the officials to make their opening statement.