Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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We meet today with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan. I extend a warm welcome to the Minister and his officials to the meeting, which is timely as a number of the issues to be discussed will have been considered at recent meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and, I am sure, formed the central part of proceedings at the Council meeting held on Monday last. The format of the meeting is that we will hear the Minister's opening statement before going into a question and answer session with the members of the committee.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are completely switched off for the duration of the meeting as they do cause interference, even in silent mode, with the recording equipment in the Chamber.

Members are reminded 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, her or it 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 joint committee. However, if witnesses are directed by the Chairman to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses 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 to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I call the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, to address the committee.