John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I call the committee to order. I am sorry for keeping the witnesses waiting. There was no disrespect intended.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. In this regard, I ask any members participating via MS Teams that, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement.

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 the witnesses were already informed, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

We are here to continue our pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025. I will accept reference to it as just "the Bill" for the purposes of this committee. That was acceded to at the previous session of the meeting.

I acknowledge at the outset that there are strongly held views in relation to the general scheme of this Bill. Notwithstanding this, the debate should at all times be focused on the general scheme of the Bill before us, and in accordance with the witness protocol, witnesses should be treated fairly and with respect. The same is expected of witnesses in this session. Equally, I expect that witnesses and members who contribute today will speak and behave with the dignity and decorum befitting a sitting of a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Today, we also have guests in the Public Gallery. They are all very welcome. I remind our guests in the Public Gallery that they may not under any circumstances interrupt the committee's proceedings.

I welcome our witnesses to the second session. From the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, I welcome Ms Fatin Al Tamimi, vice-chairperson, and Dr. John Reynolds. From Sadaka - The Ireland Palestine Alliance, we have Mr. Éamonn Meehan, chair, and Ms Marie Crawley, board member. The format of the meeting should be that we will hear the witnesses' opening statements but we are a little constrained timewise because another committee is meeting here afterwards. With the approval of the witnesses, we could take their statements as read and go straight into questions and answers. If any witness really wants to read the statement, he or she should please indicate that. Mr. Meehan wishes to do so. Is he the only one?