David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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We will now discuss the provisional Council regulation on the statute for the European Foundation with representatives of Philanthropy Ireland. On behalf of the committee I would like to welcome: Mr. Ludwig Forrest, chairperson of the European Foundation Centre; Mr. Colin McCrea, a member of Philanthropy Ireland; and Ms Hanna Surmatz, legal counsel with the European Foundation Centre. I thank them for attending the committee today, as well as for the submissions they have supplied to the committee.

The format of today's meeting is that they will be asked to make some brief opening remarks which will be followed by a question and answer session. Before we begin, I wish to draw the witnesses' attention to the situation regarding privilege. Witnesses should note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of any evidence they are to give to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject mater of these proceedings is to be given. They are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members should be aware that under the salient rulings of the Chair, members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Forrest to begin.