Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have received apologies from Deputy Cathal Berry and Senator Joe O'Reilly. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh from the Green Party joins us to represent his party instead of Deputy Brian Leddin. Deputy Ó Cathasaigh is very welcome.

This afternoon we will engage with representatives of Dóchas to discuss its pre-budget submission and the global food crisis, with particular focus on the Horn of Africa and the west Africa area. We welcome Ms Jane Ann McKenna, CEO of Dóchas, to our committee room and Ms Assalama Sidi, regional director from West Africa who, I hope, is joining us from Niger via Microsoft Teams. She is very welcome and we will see her on our screens. I also welcome Mr. Colm Byrne, humanitarian manager of Oxfam Ireland; Mr. Paul O'Brien, CEO of Plan International Ireland; and Ms Mary Van Lieshout, deputy CEO of Goal, who is no stranger to our committee. I thank all the witnesses for representing their organisations this afternoon. They will discuss their work in response to what is regrettably once again a global food crisis.

The format of the meeting will be in the usual manner. We will hear opening statements which will be followed by a discussion and questions and answers with members of the committee. I ask members to be concise and direct in their questions to allow everybody an opportunity to participate. Hopefully, we will have an opportunity for a second round should members so desire.

Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it in any way identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as in any way damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if any statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Needless to say it is not expected that any such direction will be warranted.

For witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House complex, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present within the Leinster House complex does. I remind members they are only allowed to participate if they are physically located on the Leinster House complex.

I am pleased to call on Ms Jane Ann McKenna to make her opening statement, followed by Ms Assalama Sidi whose opening statement will provide us with immediate context on what is currently happening in west Africa.