Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I thank all members who have turned up and welcome them to the meeting. Apologies have been received from Deputies Olivia Mitchell, Eric Byrne, Ruairí Quinn and Seán Crowe who, unfortunately, have prior commitments. The draft minutes of the meeting on 23 September have been circulated. Are they agreed? Agreed. Unless there are other matters arising we will proceed with the main business of the meeting.

I invite Mr. Raji Sourani to bear witness. We are delighted to have the witnesses here toady. We have heard much about Mr. Sourani, his reputation and the work he has done on behalf of the Palestinian people. It is an honour for our committee to have him appear before us today. He is the director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. I also acknowledge the presence of Mr. Garry Walsh, from Trócaire, who is accompanying Mr. Sourani. The Palestinian ambassador is also here. I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Walsh and Mr. Sourani. The presentation provides an opportunity for members to receive a first-hand account of the current position in Gaza, in particular the role of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. We would like to hear a little bit about the centre, how it works, the obstacles it faces and the work it does every day in Gaza. Some of us have been to Gaza and have seen the situation at first hand. We are looking forward to the presentation, after which we will have a question and answer session.

I remind members, witnesses and those in the Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or body outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, 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.

I call Mr. Walsh to introduce our special guest, Mr. Sourani.