Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I remind members and those following the proceedings in the public gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as even in silent mode they cause interference with the recording equipment. The purpose of our meeting is to hold a discussion with an important representative from the European Union, namely, the Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis. I met Mr. Lambrinidis briefly this morning in advance of his meeting with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, and I understand he is on a whirlwind tour. We are delighted that he is able to appear before the committee. He is accompanied by Ms Roberta Dirosa, personal assistant to the special representative; and Mr. Colin Wrafter, director of the human rights unit of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The special representative took up his post in September and comes to the job with an impressive CV, copies of which have been circulated to members. Of the ten special representatives appointed to support the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, he is the first to have a thematic mandate as opposed to a geographic one. The establishment of this important position is evidence of the commitment of the high representative to develop an effective and coherent EU policy approach to promoting and protecting human rights. We look forward to discussing with him the objectives for his tenure as special representative and, in particular, his priorities during the Irish Presidency. He was only appointed last year and, as everyone in this House is aware, it takes time to get into a job.

I acknowledge the excellent work that Mr. Wrafter has done on human rights at the Department. I am sure the unit is working diligently during the Irish Presidency to support the special representative and the European external action services, as well as meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by Ireland's accession to membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council. This is a busy time for him.

Before I ask the special representative to make his presentation, I advise witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of utterances at this committee meeting. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. They are directed that only comments and evidence in regard to the subject matter of this meeting are to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. As this is the normal information we give to witnesses appearing before the committee, do not get frightened by it.

I ask the special representative to address the committee for ten minutes. I am sure members will have a number of questions for him.