Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I remind members of the committee and people in the Visitors' Gallery to turn off their mobile telephones for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee room.

The first item on the agenda is very important, a discussion with Amnesty International Ireland about its recommendations to the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. I am delighted Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, is able to attend this afternoon. He is accompanied by Ms Iverna McGowan, policy and strategy co-ordinator for Amnesty International Ireland European institutions office. You are welcome to the meeting. All members of the committee have received a copy of Amnesty International's recommendations to the Irish Presidency. I commend the organisation on producing a very focused, considered and clear document. The recommendations are realistic and are underpinned by a clear understanding of the broader institutional relationships that exist within the Irish Presidency and the way it operates. The focus of this committee is on those areas of the document which concern the EU's external relationships and how the Presidency can co-operate with the European External Action Service and use its diplomatic service and membership of other multinational organisations, such as the UN Human Rights Council, to protect and promote human rights. Some of the committee members travelled to Geneva last December to have some discussions about Ireland's membership of the UN Human Rights Council. We met the ambassador and many of the people involved in human rights.

When the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade met the committee last month to discuss the priorities for the Presidency he gave a commitment that the Government would work to ensure the EU upholds its commitment to peace, democracy and human rights. He said these values were central to Ireland's foreign policy and would be central to the Irish Presidency as well. I believe Amnesty International Ireland's contribution is a constructive input that helps put a shape onto that commitment. The witnesses are very welcome.

Before I invite the witnesses to make the presentation I wish to advise them that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they are to give this committee.

If the witnesses are directed by the committee to cease making remarks on a particular matter and continue to do so, they will be entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their remarks. They are directed that only comments and evidence connected to the subject matter of this meeting are to be given and 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.

I now ask Mr. O'Gorman to address the committee on Amnesty International Ireland's priorities for the EU Presidency.