John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I advise members of the constitutional requirements that they 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. A member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member 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.

Members are also 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 and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

As the witness is probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statement on its website following the meeting. The witness is reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that he 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 that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if his statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, he will be directed to discontinue his remarks and it is imperative that he comply with any such direction.

The first item on the agenda is engagement with UNRWA. I welcome the deputy director of UNRWA, Mr. John Whyte, to the meeting. The format of the meeting is that we will hear his opening statement followed by a question-and-answer session with the members of the committee. We allocate seven minutes for those questions and answers, which includes the answers. I ask members to be concise in their questions to allow all members the opportunity to participate. We have been anxiously awaiting this. Mr. Whyte is the first witness of the new Dáil term in this Oireachtas committee. He is welcome today and we look forward to hearing from him on the work of UNRWA.