Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Erwan Fouéré from the Centre for European Policy Studies.
I remind members of the long standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should criticise or make charges against a person either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the 2009 Defamation Act, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If witnesses are asked to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are asked to respect the parliamentary privilege to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity, inside or outside the House, by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I am delighted to welcome Mr. Erwan Fouéré, who will speak on behalf of the Centre for European Policy Studies and specifically on EU enlargement strategy. The committee has had a number of meetings on this subject. Members of the committee visited the Balkans region last year and two years ago. We are interested in hearing an update on the situation.

I know from Mr. Fouéré's curriculum vitae that he has extensive experience in the Moldova-Transnistria issue. Perhaps we can hear about that topic during questions. I am also interested in hearing his views and perspective on the current situation in Ukraine.