Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Our agenda item today is a meeting with representatives from Dóchas about their analysis of the outcomes of the recently-held 2022 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP27, and its implications for Ireland's policy in respect of international development.

I am very pleased to welcome Ms Jane-Ann McKenna CEO of Dóchas. I welcome Ms Shania Ramadhani who at 15 years of age is our youngest witness and who participates in World Vision's SAUTI youth project. She is joining us via Teams from Tanzania. We are also joined by Ms Jane Meriwas executive director of the northern Kenyan organisation Samburu Women Trust; Ms Siobhán Curran, head of advocacy at Trócaire; Mr. Ross Fitzpatrick, policy and advocacy officer with Christian Aid; Mr. Maurice Sadlier, World Vision Ireland; and Mr. Simon Murtagh, who is no stranger to the surrounds of the Oireachtas.

The format of the meeting is in the usual manner. We will hear an opening statement from Ms McKenna followed by a contribution from other witnesses as deemed appropriate by our panel and a question and answer session with members of our committee. I ask members to be concise in their questions and allow everybody an opportunity to participate. I inform the witnesses that some of our members are present here in the room and others are joining us from their offices as we deal with the residual issues surrounding Covid 19 restrictions. Witnesses and members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise, or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make them in any way identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. If any statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, the witness or member will be directed to discontinue. Any such directions must be complied with. For witnesses attending remotely outside the Leinster House campus there are some limitations as to parliamentary privilege and as such they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. I wish to remind members that they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically located within the complex of Leinster House. I call on Ms Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO of Dóchas, to make her opening statement.