Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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With us for session A are Mr. Niall O'Keefe of Trócaire, Ms Brid Kennedy of Concern and Ms Mary Van Lieshout and Mr. Mustafa Al Manla of GOAL. They are here discuss the refugee situation in Syria and related matters and they are all very welcome, as are our guests in the Gallery.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones. Members are requested to ensure that, for the duration of the meeting, their mobile phones are completely turned off or switched to aeroplane, safe or flight mode depending on the device. It is not sufficient for members just to put their phones on silent mode as this will maintain a level of interference with the broadcasting system.

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. If they are directed by the Chair to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter to only 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 long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person, official or body outside the Houses by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.